Meg got behind his chair under pretense of smoothing the wrinkles out of his tired forehead , and standing there , she said , with her panic increasing with every word ... `` John , dear , I 'm ashamed to show you my book , for I 've really been dreadfully extravagant lately . I go about so much I must have things , you know , and Sallie advised my getting it , so I did , and my New Year 's money will partly pay for it , but I was sorry after I had done it , for I knew you 'd think it wrong in me . '' John laughed , and drew her round beside him , saying goodhumoredly , `` Do n't go and hide . I wo n't beat you if you have got a pair of killing boots . I 'm rather proud of my wife 's feet , and do n't mind if she does pay eight or nine dollars for her boots , if they are good ones . '' That had been one of her last ` trifles ' , and John 's eye had fallen on it as he spoke . `` Oh , what will he say when he comes to that awful fifty dollars ! '' thought Meg , with a shiver . `` It 's worse than boots , it 's a silk dress , '' she said , with the calmness of desperation , for she wanted the worst over . `` Well , dear , what is the ` dem 'd total ' , as Mr. Mantalini says ? '' That did n't sound like John , and she knew he was looking up at her with the straightforward look that she had always been ready to meet and answer with one as frank till now . She turned the page and her head at the same time , pointing to the sum which would have been bad enough without the fifty , but which was appalling to her with that added . For a minute the room was very still , then John said slowly -- but she could feel it cost him an effort to express no displeasure -- ... `` Well , I do n't know that fifty is much for a dress , with all the furbelows and notions you have to have to finish it off these days . '' `` It is n't made or trimmed , '' sighed Meg , faintly , for a sudden recollection of the cost still to be incurred quite overwhelmed her . `` Twenty-five yards of silk seems a good deal to cover one small woman , but I 've no doubt my wife will look as fine as Ned Moffat 's when she gets it on , '' said John dryly . `` I know you are angry , John , but I ca n't help it . I do n't mean to waste your money , and I did n't think those little things would count up so . I ca n't resist them when I see Sallie buying all she wants , and pitying me because I do n't . I try to be contented , but it is hard , and I 'm tired of being poor . '' The last words were spoken so low she thought he did not hear them , but he did , and they wounded him deeply , for he had denied himself many pleasures for Meg 's sake .
She could have bitten her tongue out the minute she had said it , for XXXXX pushed the books away and got up , saying with a little quiver in his voice , `` I was afraid of this .
John Mantalini Meg Moffat Sallie days dollars furbelows minute trifles