a pointed to the door.

"You can go now, Elfie, and don't come back!"

"All right," exclaimed Elfie, gathering up her muff and gloves, "if
that's the way you want it to be, I'm sorry."

She was hurrying toward the door, when suddenly there came a knock.
Laura, with an effort, controlled herself.

"Come in," she called out.

Annie entered, with a note, which she handed to Laura.

"Mis' Farley sent dis, Miss Laura."

Laura read the note. A look of mingled annoyance and embarrassment came
into her face.

"There's no answer," she said sharply, crushing the note up in her
hand.

But Annie was not to be put off.

"She tol' me not to leave until Ah got an answah."

"You must ask her to wait," retorted Laura doggedly.

"She wants an answer," persisted the negress.

"Tell her I'll be right down--that it will be all right."

"But, Miss Laura, she tol' me to get an answah."

She went out reluctantly, closing the door.

"She's taking advantage of your being here," exclaimed Laura
apologetically, half to herself and half to her visitor.

"How?" demanded Elfie.

"She wants money--three weeks' room-rent. I presume she thought you'd
give it to me."

"Huh!" exclaimed the other, tossing her head.

Changing her tone, Laura went up to her.

"Elfie," she said, "I've been a little cross; I didn't mean it."

"Well?" demanded her companion.

"Could--could you lend me thirty-five dollars until I get to work?"

"Me?" demanded her visitor, in indignant astonishment.

"You actually have the face to ask me to lend you thirty-five dollars?"

"Yes, you've got plenty of money to spare."

"Well, you certainly have got a nerve!" exclaimed Elfie.

"You might give it to me," pleaded Laura. "I haven't a dollar in the
world, and you pretend to be such a friend to me!"

Elfie turned angrily.

"So that's the kind of a woman you are, eh? A moment ago you were going
to kick me out of the place because I wasn't decent enough to associate
with you. You know how I live. You know how I get my money--the same
way you got most of yours. And now that you've got this spasm of
goodness, I'm not fit to be in your room; but you'll take my money to
pay your debts. You'll let me go out and do this sort of thing for your
benefit, while you try to play the grand lady. I've got your number
now, Laura. Where in hell is your virtue, anyway? You can go to the
devil, rich, poor, or any other way. I'm off!"

She rushed toward the door. For a