“Yes,” added Mrs. Gerhardt, “I have something to do.”
Bauman, who had long supplied them before illness and trouble began, knew that they told the truth.
“How long have you been working there?” he asked.
“Just this afternoon.”
“You know, Mrs. Gerhardt,” he said, “how it is with me. I don’t want to refuse you. Mr. Gerhardt is good for it, but I am poor, too. Times are hard,” he explained further, “I have my family to keep.”
“Yes, I know,” said Mrs. Gerhardt, weakly.
Her old shoddy shawl hid her rough hands, red from the day’s work, but they were working nervously. Jennie stood by in strained silence.
“Well,” concluded Mr. Bauman, “I guess it’s all right this time. Do what you can for me Saturday.”
He wrapped up the bread and bacon, and, handing Jennie the parcel, he added, with a touch of cynicism:
“When you get money again I guess you’ll go and trade somewhere else.”