“Hush, wretch, you talk too loud.”
“I am thinking my voice will be heard outside this wall if something isn’t done soon,” replied Jim.
“Oh, you do, do you? You are trying to threaten me, are you? Well, don’t do that, for it won’t work.”
“Oh, won’t it? Well, we will see. Now then, are youse going to give me that money?”
“No.”
“Not one cent?”
“No, not even a half a cent, and if you try anything we will send you up for the rest of your term.”
“Listen, Mr. Benson. Some folks situated like I am ain’t any too particular how they live when they don’t have no money. I don’t know but as I’d lief be at Blackwell’s as here in the city, but maybe I rather be there if I could get even with men what has done me an injustice.”
Benson’s face had grown white to his ears, and he had no hold upon his temper. He rose suddenly to his feet, and Jim, thinking it best to get out, ran into the hall.
There he met Biddy sailing down the stairs. This woman had improved herself a great deal since coming in a mansion to live, and she eyed her cousin with great scorn.