"No; but I promise you faithfully to help you out this afternoon or to-morrow."
"Sure? Are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
"Well, I must say these people expect me to keep——"
There was an exclamation of skeptical impatience, and the door below slammed with a bang. Laura quietly closed her door, through which Mrs. Farley's angry mutterings could still be heard indistinctly. Laura sighed, and, walking to the table, sat down again. Annie looked at her a moment, and then slowly opened the door.
"Yo' sho' dere ain't nothin' I can do fo' yuh, Miss Laura?"
"Nothing," said Laura wearily.
The negress reluctantly turned to go. Her work now finished, there was no further excuse for remaining. Slowly she left the room, carrying her broom and dustpan with her.
CHAPTER XI.