"Well, it's only for a week, or by the week. I can't say how long."
He was given no reply to this. It was as if mention of Mr. Pennyquick's name placed him as very likely to be among the "come and go sort." "I had better be going, I think," he said, and this time got to his feet.
"Well, I am sorry," the woman said again. "I'm sure I'm very sorry, and you know I can't say straight off where you'll get what you want for ten shillings. There's places, of course. But you know you don't look fit to go trudging round after them this time of night. Hadn't you better go just for the night somewhere? There's Mrs. Winter I think would take you for the night. She's at—"
Mr. Wriford went to the door. "You needn't trouble," he said weakly. "It can't be by the night. I can only pay at the end of the week."
The woman gave a little sound of dismay. "But—do you mean no money till then?"
He nodded. That was what he meant—and must face.
"But, dearie me, you won't find any will take you without deposit. They're very suspicious here, you know."
"Well," said Mr. Wriford. "Well—" and with fingers as helpless as his voice began to fumble at the latch.
"But where are you going?"
"This handle," he said. "It's rather stiff." He took his hand from it as she came round the counter to him, then immediately caught at it again and supported himself against it.