The girls heard a low murmur of voices. Although they made no attempt to listen, they could not fail to catch a few phrases of the conversation.
Mrs. Myles was talking with a man whom she seemed unwilling to admit to the house.
“I’ll do the best I can, Mr. Jennings,” they heard her tell the caller. “Don’t press me too hard. I work and slave but I can’t make ends meet.”
“I know, Mrs. Myles,” the man replied with sympathy. “I hated to come here today. But you know how it is. I’m merely an employee of the bank.”
“I’ll pay on the loan as soon as I can. You have my promise.”
“We know you mean well, Mrs. Myles. But the bank already has given you an extension of time. You owe three hundred and fifty dollars, not counting the main note of nine hundred and eighty dollars.”
“I can’t pay it this month,” Mrs. Myles said nervously. “Please go away now—I have guests.”
“Very well,” the bank employee said politely. “In due time you will receive written notice of our action. We deeply regret it but to protect our own interests we must collect.”
“Action?” the old lady asked in a quavering voice. “What action do you mean?”
“We must foreclose this property. In fact, steps already are being taken.”