He pulled two sovereigns from his pocket.
“Take these,” he said briefly, “and good evening.”
He turned from the house leaving Mrs. Higgins gaping and astonished. It is a mercy when the Mrs. Higginses of the world can be thus easily disposed of.
Barnabas walked away down the street, marvelling at the fact that man had originally been created by God in His own image.
He went straight back to studio number seven, where he found Miss Mason anxiously awaiting him. He sat down and gave her a brief account of his search and its results, omitting, however, a description of the dirt and smells.
“And so,” he ended, smiling, “you mean to keep this waif?”
“I couldn’t let her go,” said Miss Mason. “Did you see her eyes?”
Barnabas had. But the look in them had hurt him too much for him to care to think about it. So he merely said lightly:
“Where is she now?”