"I thank you," she said simply. "If you wish to help me, help me get hold of this poor girl whom I have come for. Ask him to let me see her, if only for one moment, and I may save her a life of misery."
The man turned to the proprietor. "Why don't you let her see the girl?" he said.
Gallagin scowled at him or winked, it could scarcely be told which. "What the —— is it to you? Why can't you keep your mouth for your own business instead of interfering with other folks? You have seen trouble enough doing that before."
"Let her see the girl."
"What business is it of yours whether I do or not?"
"Just this—that when I was away and my wife was starvin', and you never givin' her nothin', and my little gal was dyin', this here lady came there and took care of 'em—and that's what makes it my business. I don't forgit one as helped me, and you know it."
"Well, I'll tell you this, there ain't no gal of that name here. I don't know what she's talkin' about."
"Oh! Come off! Let her see the gal."
"You go up there and look for yourself," said the proprietor. "Take her with you if you want to and keep her there."
"Shut your mouth, d——n you!" said Talman. He turned to Miss Leigh.