This time the gentleman looked a trifle suspicious. He pressed his inquiry. “Can you let us have the copy by Wednesday?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Lucinda. Her “yes” had the effect of a snap.
The gentleman talked a little more at length with regard to his article, and Lucinda never failed with her ready “yes.”
They were almost at the turn of the road, where Sylvia would leave Lucinda, when a woman appeared. She was young, but she looked old, and her expression was one of spiritual hunger.
“This lady writes for a Boston paper,” said Lucinda. “She came yesterday. She wants me to write a piece for her paper upon women's unfairness to women.”
“Based upon the late unfortunate occurrence at Miss Hart's hotel,” said the woman.
“Yes,” said Lucinda, “of course; everything is based on that. She wants me to write a piece upon how ready women are to accuse other women of doing things they didn't do.”
“And you are going to write it?” said the woman, eagerly.
“Yes,” said Lucinda.
“Oh, thank you! you are a perfect dear,” said the woman. “I am so much pleased, and so will Mr. Evans be when he hears the news. Now I must ask you to excuse me if I hurry past, for I ought to wire him at once. I can get back to Boston to-night.”