The boarding-house to which they had been directed was kept by a bustling maiden lady, with shrewd eyes and voluble speech. They could have one double room for twenty-five shillings a week each, and five shillings extra for the baby, or they could have two single rooms for a pound a week more.
“I have to charge that much more,” the woman explained apologetically, “because if I’m pushed to it I can put two beds even in the single rooms.”
“I daresay that won’t ruin us. What do you think, Mildred?”
“Oh, I don’t mind. Anything’s good enough for me,” she answered.
Philip passed off her sulky reply with a laugh, and, the landlady having arranged to send for their luggage, they sat down to rest themselves. Philip’s foot was hurting him a little, and he was glad to put it up on a chair.
“I suppose you don’t mind my sitting in the same room with you,” said Mildred aggressively.
“Don’t let’s quarrel, Mildred,” he said gently.
“I didn’t know you was so well off you could afford to throw away a pound a week.”
“Don’t be angry with me. I assure you it’s the only way we can live together at all.”
“I suppose you despise me, that’s it.”