"Is that you, Annie?"
"Yassum," said the negress.
Laura took the bank notes which Brockton had left and threw them on the table. With affected carelessness, she said:
"Mrs. Farley wants her rent. There is some money. Take it to her."
Approaching the table, the negress' eyes nearly started out of her head when she caught sight of the bank notes. Bewildered, she exclaimed:
"Dey ain't nothin' heah, Miss Laura, but five great big one hundred dollah bills!"
"Take two," said Laura. "And look in that upper drawer. You'll find some pawn-tickets there."
"Yassum," said the negress, obeying instructions. "Dat's real money—dem's yellow backs, sure!"
"Take the two top ones," continued Laura, "and go get my lace gown and one of the hats. The ticket is for a hundred and ten dollars. Keep ten for yourself, and hurry."
Annie gasped from sheer excitement.