“I’m sure I don’t know. Is it, Nolla?” laughed Polly.
Just then a brusque voice said: “Name and address please—and twenty-five per cent deposit money.” The girls looked up in bewilderment. Who was the man?
He seemed to read their thoughts, for he smiled. “I am the cashier. Everyone has to pay down a cash deposit on their bids. Everything you buy has to be removed by Saturday, or we are not responsible for it after that.”
“Oh!” Polly and Eleanor looked at each other. They were trying to figure out how much money he wanted.
“Here—I’ll pay the deposit. About thirty dollars, isn’t it?” said Anne, in a business-like tone.
“Yes, thank you. Now name and address, please?”
“What’s the number of our stable, Anne?” laughed Eleanor.
When Anne gave the address the cashier looked surprised. “Oh, have you rented the Studio down the street?”
The girls bowed wonderingly, and he added: “The artist who lived there for a number of years, used to drop in here every week just for the entertainment of picking up curios. In fact, I saw him here a few minutes ago. He told me he would give fifty percent advance to the tenant who leased that place. Here’s a chance for you to make money if you want to give up the Studio.”
“We want a home more than money, mister!” declared Polly.