It was quite a long ride to where Mrs. Leeth lived, and it was nearly eight o’clock when Tom arrived. The house was a fine one, in an exclusive residential section, and the door was opened by a colored butler.
“Here’s the dress for Mrs. Leeth,” said Tom.
“I’ll take it,” replied the butler.
“But I want to see Mrs. Leeth,” insisted Tom, who had in mind his mother’s injunction to get the money.
“She am busy.”
“Then I’ll wait,” said Tom firmly, and, holding on to the package, which the butler offered to take from him, he stepped into the hall, and sat down.
“I’ll tell her about it,” promised the colored man, “but she hab some company, an’ I know she won’t see you.”
“You might take her this,” suggested Tom, handing the colored man the bill.
The butler vanished behind some hanging plush portieres, and came back presently to say:
“She’ll be heah immejeet, but she doan’t laik to be ’sturbed when she hab company. She am very indignant.”