The trunk was then relocked and shoved under the bed.
At this moment a knock startled him.
"Come in," he called, covering the case with a corner of the cotton quilt.
A bareheaded, coarse-featured woman with a black shawl about her shoulders stood in the doorway.

"I've come for my money," she burst out, too angry for preliminaries.

"I'm gittin' tired of bein' put off.

You're two weeks behind." "Only two weeks?
I was afraid it was worse, my dear madame," he answered calmly, a faint smile curling his thin lips.

"You have a better head for figures than I.But do not concern yourself.