Mrs. Deline raised herself on an elbow, fairly glaring at Penny.
“Will you kindly worry about your own affairs?” she asked insolently. “I’ve had about all I can take from you in one night.”
“But I didn’t mean anything personal.”
“Good night!” said Mrs. Deline with emphasis.
Penny turned out the light and crept into her own bed. She felt beaten and hurt. It was easy to understand why Mrs. Deline disliked her, but her own attitude was bewildering.
“I distrusted the woman the instant I met her,” she reflected. “Perhaps I had no reason for it at first. Now I’m not so sure.”
Penny rolled over to face the window. Moonlight was flooding into the room. In the diffused light the girl could see Mrs. Deline plainly. The woman had propped herself up in bed and was fingering the jade green elephant charm which hung on its slender chain. Though Penny could not be certain, she thought the lid of the figure lay open and that Mrs. Deline quickly snapped it shut.
“Good night, Mrs. Deline,” she ventured, still trying to make amends.
The widow did not answer. Instead she turned her back and pretended to sleep.