“No,” replied Bat. “But then, as I said, you never know when to expect him. He’s one of those fellows who have their own ideas about things.”
The opened gate showed a waggon outside, one which Scanlon had noticed more than once before. A package was handed to Mrs. Kretz, who at once came in and relocked the gate.
Miss Knowles held out her hand as though to take the package. There was a sweet smile upon her face, but in the movement there was a swiftness, an eagerness which Scanlon could not help but notice.
“Not for me!” she said.
“No,” replied the woman, sullenly.
“For Miss Hohenlo, then. Give it to me. I will take it to her.”
Reluctantly Mrs. Kretz handed her the parcel, and the girl, with a smile and a nod to Scanlon, crossed the courtyard and disappeared.
The woman fumbled at the bolts of the gate for a few moments; it was plain to Bat that she desired to say something but was at a loss as to how to begin.
“You don’t care to have any of your work taken off your hands, I see,” said he.
The woman shook her head; her heavy face still wore the sullen look.