Penny knocked on the side door. Through the window she observed Tillie freeze into a tense attitude of fear. To reassure the girl she called her name in a loud voice.
Immediately Tillie ran to open the door.
“Oh, it’s you!” she exclaimed in relief. “I was frightened.”
To Penny’s surprise Tillie wore a silk dress. Pocketbook, hat and gloves lay upon the kitchen table.
“I am afraid I’ve come at an awkward time,” she apologized. “You were going somewhere?”
“I’m leaving here,” Tillie answered grimly. She closed the door behind Penny.
“You mean for good? You’ve found another job?”
Tillie shook her head. “I’ve been discharged. He didn’t give me a week’s advance wages either.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” said Penny sympathetically. “But you’ll find a better place. You said you didn’t like it here anyway.”
“I’ve hated it. Peter Fenestra is such a suspicious person. Why do you think he discharged me?”