Clare implored her to stop by a gesture. "Twenty," she said to
Balcome. "I'll pay it back."
Sue took the bills that Balcome held out, and gave them to Tottie.
"Keep the change," she suggested, anxious to get the woman away.
Tottie recovered her best air. "Wouldn't mention such small items," she explained, "but it's been a bad season, and I haven't had one engagement—not one. As I say,——"
"Don't apologize. I can tell a generous woman when I see one." This with a hearty smile.
Tottie simpered, shoved the money under the lace of her bodice, and backed out—as a bell began to ring somewhere persistently.
Clare had set down the suitcase and the cage. As Sue closed the door and turned to her, the sight of that lowered head and bent shoulders brought the tears to her eyes. "You want to get away?" she asked gently; "you want to be lost again?"
The other straightened. "What if I do!" she cried, angrily. "It's my own business, isn't it? Why don't you mind yours?"
"Now look here!" put in Balcome, advancing to stand between the two. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Miss Milo came with the kindest intentions in the world——"
"No, no," pleaded Sue. And to Clare, "I'm going. I haven't wanted to make you unhappy. And, oh, if you're alone——"
"Rot!" interrupted Balcome, impatiently. "She's got relatives right here in the house." He shuffled his feet and swung his hat.