“I wonder if I should have any family?” asked the girl.
“Nay, that’s more than I can say.”
“And money—will she have money? We are down-hearted, Mr. Linden, and we want a little——”
At this moment there came a most surprising interruption. The door flew open and little Mrs. Linden rushed into the room with pale face and blazing eyes.
“They are policewomen, Tom. I’ve had a warning about them. It’s only just come. Get out of this house, you pair of snivelling hypocrites. Oh, what a fool! What a fool I was not to recognise what you were.”
The two women had risen.
“Yes, you are rather late, Mrs. Linden,” said the senior. “The money has passed.”
“Take it back! Take it back! It’s on the table.”
“No, no, the money has passed. We have had our fortune told. You will hear more of this, Mr. Linden.”
“You brace of frauds! You talk of frauds when it is you who are the frauds all the time! He would not have seen you if it had not been for compassion.”