Her thoughts still stayed with Ted. She did not mind receiving the monthly remittance from the Deans, she mused, just as had been arranged, before they left for the West, yet she was glad that it would not be necessary to receive this money very much longer. What they had accepted up to now would be paid back by the three of them, the mother, Helen and Ted. But both of them were very anxious to pay back at once the hundred dollars Mr. Dean had insisted that she take when Ted had gone to the hospital. That was a burden which the Marshes were anxious to clear as soon as possible.
The bell rang. “It cannot be Helen. She does not ring. I wonder who it is?”
She pushed the button that opened the door below. After a time there was a knock at the door.
She opened it and a man stepped in.
“Mrs. Marsh?” he asked.
“I am Mrs. Marsh,” she answered.
“I am the insurance adjuster and I want to settle as to your losses through that fire. The company wants to offer you $25.00, which I think is very fair.”
“But it was supposed to be $100.00,” said Mrs. Marsh, uncertainly.
“We cannot make it $100.00; we do not intend to give more than $25.00. You can take it or leave it.”
The man made a move as if to go. Mrs. Marsh, uncertain, wished for Ted or even for Helen, and as if in answer to her wish Helen stepped into the room.