Martha half laughed at her earnestness.
"I can't tell you just now, Aunt Jane," she said.
"But I must know. When Mr. Clayton brought you to me, he asked me to look out for you, and I mean to do so."
"And so you have. You've been everything that you could be, dear and thoughtful, but it's got so I'm the laughing-stock of the entire company. I daren't take a step out of this house but you must be fully informed about everything I do and everywhere I go."
"Mr. Clayton wishes to know."
"If Mr. Clayton wishes to know, why doesn't he come and ask me? He hasn't been here more than twice in the past four months. Am I to blame if I wish some innocent amusement? He never thinks of me, and when some one else does seem to take an interest in my affairs, and show me a little attention, am I to blame if I like it?"
"You are to blame for accepting hundred-dollar bills."
"But I haven't accepted them yet. I haven't been able to return them before this—"
"What? There were others?"
"For the past six weeks a messenger boy has brought me a note every Saturday. Each letter contained a hundred-dollar bill."