"Well, I don't think you may. That is to say, my reason for asking it can have nothing to do with yours for replying to it. If you have had no hand in any such payment, there is an end of it, and I need not take up your time by saying anything more on the subject."

"Well, I don't think you may. If you have had no hand in any such payment, there is an end of it, and I need not take up any more of your time."
