“I think I understand,” she said quietly, and went out, closing the door softly behind her.
Heloise waited, crept to the door and listened before she spun round, joy in her face.
“Whoop-ee!” She danced round the kitchen. “I got my fare! I got my fare! Oh boy, some leading woman! Heloise, your salary is raised and your name’s in lights.”
“You, you wicked woman!” gasped Gordon. “How dare you—how dare you!”
“Aw, listen!” Hand on hip, she faced him, looking from under her curling lashes. “I gotta get somethin’ on the side. Be reasonable, Man. I’m broke—I couldn’t raise two dollars. Suppose Dan does pay up—where’s my transportation coming from? Have a heart, birdie.”
“You’ve deceived Miss Ford.”
“Now listen to Holy Mike! Haven’t you deceived her? Anyway, you don’t deserve a nice li’l girl like that. Don’t think I despise her because she’s easy. That’s a real nice girl. You lied when you said you were married—you may be, but it is not to Diana. And never will be. She’s got brains.”
He strode up and down the kitchen with furious strides, muttering under his breath. Presently he confronted her.
“You take away my character—you accuse me of the most abominable acts. You swear away my reputation in a most disgraceful manner. I am Double Dan in her eyes.”
She had found and lit another cigarette and was sitting on the table, her feet swinging.