“That won't do,” he said. “How do I know? Maybe you'll pay and maybe you'll get tired of paying. And before fall he may be in China. No, I'm going to have the money or put him through.”
“I thought perhaps you would say that,” said Henrietta. “You would naturally. You think I am merely one of Freeman's friends. I am his mother, Mr. Alberson. I'm Freeman's mother.” And thus another lie was uttered by Henrietta Bates.
CHAPTER IX
Johnnie Alberson looked at Henrietta without the least questioning of her statement that she was Freeman Todder's mother.
“That's different, Mrs—” he hesitated; “Mrs. Todder,” he said finally. “Or is it Mrs. Bates?”
“No, not Todder,” said Henrietta. “Nor Bates either. I am Mrs. William Vane. My husband is in the West. He is a worthless, drunken wreck. You can understand why I took the name of Bates, with a son like Freeman, always an expense, and a husband like Mr. Vane, and the position of teacher here open only to spinsters. It was necessity, not choice.”
There was no weak appeal in Henrietta's voice, nor in her manner, nor were there tears or tremulousness. She looked directly into Alberson's eyes and spoke with what seemed to be absolute frankness.
“That's different,” Alberson repeated. “I can see why you want to save Freeman, that being so. And I'm sorry for you; I 'll say that, Mrs. Vane. A son like yours—well, he's not much good. Now, about this payment you want to make?” Henrietta told him what she would like to do. She would, of course, bring him the money as often as she could.