Sue understood. She opened the hall door, and took her place beside Clare as if to defend her. The latter could not speak, but stood, a pathetic figure, holding to a suitcase with one hand, and with the other carrying the bird-cage.
"Get back in there!" ordered Tottie, beginning to descend from the upper landing.
Clare obeyed, Sue helping her with the suitcase. "I'll send the money," she pleaded. "I—I meant to. Oh, Tottie!"
Tottie was down by now, scowling and nursing a foot, for she had slipped. She made "shooing" gestures at Clare.
"How much does Miss Crosby owe you?" asked Sue, getting between Clare and the landlady.
"Sixteen dollars—and some telephone calls."
"Let me——" It was Wallace. He ran a hand into a pocket.
Sue warned him with a look. "Mr. Balcome will lend it," she said.
Balcome did not wait to be asked. From an inside coat pocket he produced a black wallet fat with bills, and pulled away the rubber band that circled it.
Tottie viewed the wallet with greedy eyes. "And there's some laundry," she supplemented; "and Mrs. Colter's lunch today—just before you come in, Clare,—and Barbara's."