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"Your mother's dead, isn't she?" said Tuppence gently.

Tommy nodded.

Tuppence's large grey eyes looked misty.

You're a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it."

Rot!" said Tommy hastily. "Well, that's my position. I'm just about desperate."

So am I! I've hung out as long as I could. I've touted round. I've answered

advertisements. I've tried every mortal blessed thing. I've screwed and saved and

pinched! But it's no good. I shall have to go home!"

Don't you want to?"

Of course I don't want to! What's the good of being sentimental? Father's a dear--

I'm awfully fond of him--but you've no idea how I worry him! He has that

delightful early Victorian view that short skirts and smoking are immoral. You

can imagine what a thorn in the flesh I am to him! He just heaved a sigh of relief

when the war took me off. You see, there are seven of us at home. It's awful! All

housework and mothers' meetings! I have always been the changeling. I don't

want to go back, but--oh, Tommy, what else is there to do?"

Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst out:

"Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I dare say

it's mercenary of me, but there it is!"

"Same here," agreed Tommy with feeling.

I've thought over every imaginable way of getting it too," continued Tuppence.

There are only three! To be left it, to marry it, or to make it. First is ruled out. I

haven't got any rich elderly relatives. Any relatives I have are in homes for

decayed gentlewomen! I always help old ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels

for old gentlemen, in case they should turn out to be eccentric millionaires. But

not one of them has ever asked me my name--and quite a lot never said 'Thank

you.'"

There was a pause.

"Of course," resumed Tuppence, "marriage is my best chance. I made up my mind

The Secret Adversary