You spend your money on me
like water--none of which I can return, and you know it--and when I tell
you I don't like that sort of thing you double the expense. Now, what
does it all mean? Who are you, anyway, and where do you come from? If
you're all right there's my hand, and you'll find it wide open.'
"He dropped into his chair, put his head into his hands for a moment,
and said, in a greatly altered tone:
"'If I told you, you wouldn't understand.'
"'Yes, I would.'
"'No, you wouldn't--you couldn't. You've had everything you wanted all
your life--I haven't had anything.'
"'Me!--what rot! You've got a chair under you now that will sell for
more money than I see in a year.'
"'Yes--and nobody to sit in it; not a man who knows me or wants to know
me.'
"'But why did you pick me out?'
"'Because you seemed to be the kind of a man who would understand me
best. I watched you for weeks, though you didn't know it. You've got
people who love you for yourself. You go into Florian's or the Quadri
and you can't get a chance to swallow a mouthful for fellows who want to
shake hands with you and slap you on the back.
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