"She don't?" mocked Balcome, glaring at the teagown.
"Nope," went on the landlady, mistaking his attention for a compliment, and simpering a little, with a quick fluttering of her lids; "took all her stuff.—Hm!" Now she let her eyes play side-wise, toward that double door behind Balcome.
He took the hint. "I see."
"And, oh, I'm goin' to miss her! Her first name bein' Clare, and my last name bein' St. Clair, I always feel, somehow, that she's a sorta relation."
Balcome went nearer to the double door. "And you don't know where she's living now?" He raised his voice a little. Then with Wallace gaping in amazement, he put a hand into a pocket and brought out several bills. He gave these a flirtatious wave before Tottie's eyes. "You don't know?"
"Say, y' don't expect me to tell y', do y'?" she inquired, also raising her voice. Those eyes sparkled with greed.
"Of course I expect you to tell me," Balcome mocked again, sliding the bills into a coat pocket.
"Well, she didn't leave her new address." Out came a beringed hand.
"Didn't she?" Once more Balcome displayed the money.
"No, she said she'd send it." Then pointing toward the double door, her fingers closed on the bribe.