"I don't know where you'll find another rent-collector that's worth his salt--in this town," observed Mrs. Grant, on the doorstep. "I can't think what you'll do, Mrs. Lessways!"
"I shall collect my rents myself," was the answer.
When Mrs. Grant had crossed the road and taken the bricked path leading to the paralytic's house, Mrs. Lessways slowly shut the door and bolted it, and then said to Hilda:
"Well, my girl, I do think you might have tried to show just a little more feeling!"
They were close together in the narrow lobby, of which the heavy pulse was the clock's ticking.
Hilda replied:
"You surely aren't serious about collecting those rents yourself, are you, mother?"
"Serious? Of course I'm serious!" said Mrs. Lessways.
II
"Why shouldn't I collect the rents myself?" asked Mrs. Lessways.