She would not condemn Evelyn without a hearing, but Evelyn would have to explain, if explanation were possible.

She laid the letter on her desk and turning away from it tore open the last envelope, which bore the name of a business house in one corner.

It contained a bill from Hanford's, the largest department store in Overton.

At the bottom was written.

"This account is long overdue.
Please remit at once." Grace had a charge account at Hanford's on which, occasionally, she allowed certain girls in the house to buy goods, merely as a matter of accommodation to them.