"Morning," he said coldly and cleared his throat.
"Good morning?" Ronnie's tone was polite but inquisitive.
"I called yesterday but nobody was in," said Mr. East, gently stern.
"Why did you call at all?" asked Ronnie.
A look of amazement toning to righteous anger from Mr. East.
"Why did I call at all?" he repeated. "To give you a chance of actin' the man; to collect what is due to a poor girl that was—"
"To commit blackmail, in fact?" smiled Ronnie. (He was quick to smile today.)
"Eh?"
"I remember—I have given you money every week, ostensibly for your sister. Tell her to come and see me."
"What! Her come to see you? In this, what I might term, den of iniquity? No! I don't allow you to see the poor girl. And as for blackmail, didn't you, of your own free will, offer to pay?"