“I want you, child,” said the lady, with decision. “Can you excuse yourself to your friend?”
Jess waved her hand to Laura, and called:
“I’ll be up after supper, dear.”
Laura nodded, and smiled, and went on; but she was evidently puzzled as she turned to gaze after the runabout as it moved off swiftly with her chum beside the lady in the magnificent furs.
“And how are you and your mother getting along?” asked Mrs. Prentice, as soon as the car had started.
“Why—why about as usual, Mrs. Prentice,” stammered Jess, who was much puzzled as to why the lady should want her to take this ride. “Only mother is regularly employed by Mr. Prentice, and is very grateful for the work—as you must know, ma’am.”
“Oh, don’t speak of that,” said Mrs. Prentice, laughing. “I fancy that Pat is getting full measure for his money; he usually does. But tell me, child, are you going to remain in that cottage of Mr. Chumley’s?”
“Why—I really don’t know, Mrs. Prentice. There seems no other place to go——”
“He is horribly overcharging you, child,” said the lady, quickly.
“I know. But there are so few small places in decent neighborhoods—mother says she doesn’t know what to do about it.”