"Poor Laurie, tired, aren't you, dear?" she said fondly; and then turning toward the girl: "Here's an old friend of ours—Shirley Bloodgood!"
"So I see," he growled; and without more ado he turned to Miriam and demanded gruffly:—
"Well, where's your money? I've got to have some money right away."
Miriam fumbled for an instant at her waist. She did this more for appearance' sake than anything else, for she well knew that she had none to give him. Every day she had given him about everything she made.
"Yes, Laurie," she faltered, "yes, of course." And turning to Shirley, added by way of apology for him: "Such an ordeal as Laurie has been through—such a strain."
Shirley was in a panic. What she had seen was enough to make her heart-sick.
"Oh," she suddenly exclaimed, "I have forgotten all about father! I left him alone—I simply must go now. You don't know how glad ..." And turning to Challoner, she held out her hand to him. But ignoring her completely, he again said to his wife:—
"Miriam, where is that money?"
"Laurie is such a business man now, Shirley," said Miriam, smiling bravely at the girl.
But the contempt which Shirley felt for the man before her was too great for words; and she merely repeated:—