"Just let him wait a while," she said. "That'll show him that the bell is out of order." But in spite of her savage words she met him at the door smilingly.
"Good-morning, Mr. Schultzsky," she said cordially. "Will you come in?"
For answer Mr. Schultzsky held out his monthly account.
"Oh, the rent bill!" responded Miss Billy. "You're like the stork, Mr. Schultzsky, that always comes around with a big bill. But I want to talk with you a few minutes. Won't you come in?"
The landlord ignored the feeble joke, and gave a stolid grunt, which Miss Billy interpreted as a refusal. "Well," she said, sitting down on the doorstep, "if you won't come in I suppose I can talk to you here. Mr. Schultzsky, perhaps you noticed that our doorbell is broken."
The old man made no reply, and Miss Billy went on:
"The window upstairs has never been mended——"
Mr. Schultzsky shuffled his feet uneasily, but gave no other sign of having heard her speech.
"And our front walk is so broken that it will be the death of somebody some day," continued Miss Billy. She paused for a response, but none came.