"What can I do for you, Mrs. Marlow?" asked Mrs. Rollins, civilly.
"I'm all out of matches. Can you give me a few?"
"Certainly."
Mrs. Marlow took the matches, but did not go. She sank into a chair and grew social.
"And how is the times affectin' you, Mrs. Rollins?" she asked.
"Rupert is out of employment. All he has to depend upon are odd jobs."
Mrs. Marlow darted a curious glance at the bureau drawer in which her neighbor had deposited the purse.
"It don't make so much difference as long as a body has got money to fall back upon," she said.
"That is not my condition."
"I'm sorry for it. I surmised you might have money ahead. You're better off than I am, for I have no boy to work for me."