"I'm looking out for number one now, but I've had hard luck the past year," the actress resumed, her eyes dropping, with a look of greed, to the silver purse in Helen's hand. "I've got to have some money, and I—I think, madam, you will find it to your interest to—to hand over a few dollars to me now and then."
Helen's eyes began to blaze, in view of the underlying menace implied more by the woman's tone than by her words.
"I! Why should I give you money?" she indignantly demanded.
"Well, I think you owe me something for taking care of that husband of yours for seven or eight years."
"He wasn't my husband!" Helen sharply interposed.
The woman laughed derisively.
"Well, then, for taking him off your hands; surely that was doing you a good turn, and you should not begrudge me a share in the luck you have had since you got rid of him."
Helen was disgusted. She felt degraded to be standing there and bandying words with her, and she turned resolutely away, determined to put an end to the revolting interview.
Her companion planted herself in her path.
"Oh, don't be in such a hurry, Mrs. Hungerford; for really you will have to open that pretty purse for me before you go," she said peremptorily.