ou was the one for me to tell it to. And so I've
done it, and already I think I feel a little bit easier in my mind. And
so that's all, mister. But I wisht please you'd take that pistol away
with you when you go--I don't never want to see it again as long as I
live."

She paused, huddling herself in a heap upon the bed. The major's short
arm made a gesture toward the cheap suitcase.

"I observe," he said, "that your portmanteau is packed as if for a
journey. Were you thinking of leaving, may I ask?"

"My which?" she said. "Oh, you mean my baggage! Yes; I ain't never
unpacked it since I come here. I was aimin' to go back to my home--I got
a stepsister livin' there and she might take me in--only after payin'
for this room I ain't got quite enough money to take me there; and now I
don't know as I want to go, either. If I kin git my strength back I
might stay on here--I kind of like city life. Or I might go up to
Cincinnati. A girl that I used to know here is livin' there now and she
wrote to me a couple of times, and I know her address--it was backed on
the envelope. Still, I ain't sure--my plans ain't all made yit.
Sometimes I think I'll give myself up, but most generally I think I
won't. I've got to do somethin' purty soon though, one way or another,
because I ain't got but a little over three dollars left out of what I
had."

She sank her head in the pillow wearily, with her face turned away from
him. The major stood up. Into his side coat pocket he slipped the
revolver that had snuffed out the late and unsavory Rodney Bullard's
light of life, and from his trousers pocket he slowly drew forth his
supply of ready money. He had three silver dollars, one quarter, one
dime, and a nickel--three-forty in all. Contemplating the disks of metal
in the palm of his hand, he did a quick sum in mental arithmetic. This
was Thursday night now. Saturday afternoon at two he would draw a pay
envelope containing twelve dollars. Meantime he must eat. Well, if he
stinted himself closely a dollar might be stretched to bridge the gap
until Saturday. The major had learned a good deal about the noble art of
stinting these last few weeks.

On the coverlet alongside the girl he softly piled two of the silver
dollars and the forty cents in change. Then, after a momentary
hesitation, he put down the third silver dollar, gathered up the forty
cents, slid it gently into his pocket and started for the door, the
loose planks creaking under his tr