Bella fell back again relievedly.
"Oh, you're talking about Charlie, are you?" she said.
"Who should I be talking about? There isn't no one else as wants to make an honest woman of you, is there?"
The shaft fell short of its mark. Bella did not even wince.
"Well, it strikes me, my girl, you'll have to fall in with his views," Saidie continued presently; "for if what has come to Doss's ears is true, you'll be out of a berth before you can say Christopher Columbus."
"What on earth do you mean?"
"The management are getting dissatisfied, and we know what that means."
The pale face flushed poppy red.
"They can't help themselves," she said eagerly. "I have a contract for six months. They cannot cancel it, you must know they can't, and it's not very likely I shall allow myself to be played fast and loose with as the fancy takes them."
"But if you're not able to fulfil your share of the contract—"