I felt sorry for her, and
gave her more time, taking the responsibility myself--"
"How much time?"
"I said two weeks, but no doubt I could have had the time
extended."
"I have MY doubts. Will you and your employer please accept my
humble gratitude that you had the grace not to turn her out-of-
doors during the holiday season? It might have caused remark; but
that consideration and some others that I might name are not to be
weighed against a few dollars and cents. I shall now remove the
strain upon your patriotism at once, and will not only pay
arrears, but also for two months in advance."
"Oh, there's no need of that to-day."
"Yes, there is. My wife shall feel to-night that she has a home.
She evidently has not received the letter I wrote as soon as I
reached our lines, or you would not have been talking to her about
two weeks more of shelter."
The agent reopened his office and saw a roll of bills extracted
from Marlow's pocket that left no doubt of the soldier's ability
to provide for his family. He gave his receipt in silence, feeling
that words would not mend matters, and then trudged off to his
dinner with a nagging appetite.
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