“I don't feel hungry,” she said in answer to Susan's question, and Susan imagined it was because Henrietta was worrying over the revelation she had been forced to make that Freeman Todder was her husband.
“Don't you worry about what you told me,” Susan said when she found her alone for a moment after supper. “It's all right as long as you're a married couple. The only thing I want is to be able to keep the good name of this boarding-house clear, and speak right up to anybody that questions it, Mrs. Todder.”
“Oh, please don't call me that,” begged Henrietta, in fright.
“I've got to,” said Miss Susan. “I've got to do it once in a while. I've got to be able to say, to anybody that finds out, 'My sakes, I knew it all along. I always called her Mrs. Todder when we was private alone together.' So don't you worry. All I ask is to see your marriage certificate, so I can say I saw it.”
“Of course, I 'll show you that,” agreed Henrietta; but she had a drowning sensation. She could not remember what had become of her marriage certificate; if it was still in existence it might be anywhere.
“Not that I'm in a hurry,” said Susan. “Tomorrow will do. I've got to go up now and see how that boy is getting along, I suppose. If ever there was a fool I was one when I took him.”
“I know you don't mean that,” said Henrietta, putting her hand on Susan's arm. “It has been an annoyance—having that ridiculous policeman come for him—but you really like the boy, Miss Susan. Don't you? In your heart of hearts?”
“I don't like a thief,” said Susan grimly.
“But Lem is not that,” Henrietta urged. “All boys do what he did—most boys—if they have the chance. They mean no wrong, I know.”
“They don't do things like that and stay in my house,” Susan said.