"I was not aware you had a child so young," he remarked, looking at
the baby.
"It isn't mine," said Mrs. Crump, briefly.
"The child of a neighbor, I suppose," thought Colman.
Meanwhile he scrutinized closely, without appearing to do so, the
furniture in the room.
At this point Mr. Crump opened the outer door.
"Good-morning," said Colman, affably. "A fine morning."
"Quite so," answered his tenant, shortly.
"I have called, Mr. Crump, to know if you are ready with your
quarter's rent."
"I think I told you, last night, how I was situated. Of course I am
sorry----"
"So am I," said the landlord, "for I may be obliged to have recourse
to unpleasant measures."
"You mean that we must leave the house!"
"Of course, you cannot expect to remain in it if you are unable to
pay the rent. Of course," added Colman, making an inventory with his
eyes, of the furniture, "you will leave behind a sufficient amount
of furniture to cover your bill----"
"Surely, you would not deprive us of our furniture!"
"Is there any hardship in requiring payment of honest debts?"
"There are cases of that description. However, I will not put you to
that trouble. I am ready to pay you your dues."
"You have the money?" said Colman, hastily.
"I have, and something over; as you will see by this document. Can
you give me the two hundred and eighty dollars over?"
It would be difficult to picture the amazement of Colman.
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