Page:Delight - de la Roche - 1926.djvu/123

 after some of the boarders. It's easy to wait on them. Just slap the food down before them any old way. Why, on quiet days she ought to be able to do the whole thing."

She drew back. "Oh, Billie, I shouldn't like to give up my best tables." Her voice choked. Her pride was cut.

"Now don't be a little fool. What good is it going to do you to wait at those blasted tables? None. But seven a month extra is going to do you a lot of good. Lord, think what it will buy! Then, it will save me a bit each month on another girl's wages. . . . I'm worried. I tell you, Annie. Things are not going as they should. I'd hate to lose my job."

"Oh, Bill, I didn't know." Her voice was full of compassion now. "How awful it'd be here without you. But there's no real danger, is there?"

He was pensive. "I guess we can worry through, but there's no knowing. Mr. Hodgins is certainly coming to look into things, and it'll look well if he sees I'm cutting down expenses."

Annie moved closer to him and beseechingly scanned his face.

"Bill, you aren't getting struck on Delight, are you?"

"Have a heart, Annie. Spare one poor devil in the town to be struck on your own little self."

"Ah, Bill, if I only thought you was!" Her lip trembled. . ..

A step sounded down the passage and Pearl appeared.

"Oh, hullo," she said, "I thought you'd be in bed, Annie."

Bastien's brows lowered.

"Funny, isn't it?" he said. "Annie thought you were in bed. Honest. Early-to-bed ladies you are, aren't you? Well, see that you're early to rise."

He turned away.