gested
suspicion. But Clo began to speak first, with her best brogue, which she
could use, when needed, with great effect.

"I beg your pardon, ma'am, for intruding on ye at this time of the
night," said the girl in her creamiest voice, with a child-like smile,
"but the lady I'm maid for and me had a quarrel about a young man, and
rather than give him up, I just walked away from the house, without
waitin' to pack my things. I've walked till I'm played out! I tould yer
maid a friend o' mine had spoken o' Mrs. MacMahon's place and I didn't
forget. I'll pay a week in advance if you'll take me in."

Whether Mrs. MacMahon believed these out-pourings was an open question,
but her face softened slightly at sound of the brogue.

"Irish, are you!" she said.

"Yes, County Cork, and not over since very long," returned the girl.

"I'm from County Cork, me and me dead husband both," volunteered the
woman. "I've been in New York these twelve years. Violet says you ast
for a top-floor room?"

"I did that," said Clo.

"Well, a top-floor room is the only wan I've got vacant. How long would
ye be wanting it for?"

"Oh, a few days, and maybe more."

"You can come and have a look. I don't boast of the room. It's last
choice. I charge seven dollars with board."

"I don't mind seven dollars," said Clo, and followed her hostess up
flight after flight of dimly lighted stairs. They were covered with
oilcloth, and the hall smelled of escaping gas, but the girl was almost
happy. The place was not attractive, but it seemed decent enough.

"It's a hall room, but a front one," explained Mrs. MacMahon, panting,
as they reached the top of the house. Clo was enchanted to hear this,
for it meant that the room must adjoin the one where Churn had pulled
down the blind. She wondered if Churn were married to Kit. Perhaps she
would find out by and by.

"There's a husband and wife come into the double room next," Mrs.
MacMahon went on, when she had shown Clo her proposed quarters. "The
wall's kind of thin, for this room was part of the other once, but
they're a quiet couple, I guess: and if you're quiet, too, you won't
trouble each other. They're friends of a gentleman boarder we've had for
some time, and they've been here to call on him, though they've never
stayed before. I want 'em to be comfortable, so stir around as little as
you can in the morning. I guess they're the kind that lies late in bed."

"I feel more as if I'd like to lie in be