Part 30 (1/2)

Instead of the inefficient stenographer who, a few moments before, had sought to hide her discomfiture in a bl.u.s.ter of abuse, she was now a poor deserving working-girl who had been put upon by an unscrupulous employer. Conscious of her own worth and made courageous by that consciousness, she had been able, it now seemed to her, to hold her own in a manner which must excite the admiration of her family.

”Well, when he used such language to me, I saw all right what kind of a man he was and I just gave it to him straight. 'I see what you're after,' I says to him. 'You think you're going to bounce me before my week's up and you think I'm so meek that I'll leave without saying a word! But I just won't!' I says to him. 'You hired me for a week and if you think you can throw me out without paying me a week's salary, you're mighty mistaken! I've got a father,' I says to him, 'and he'll make it hot for you!'”

Upon Mrs. O'Brien at least the effect of the story was almost terrifying. ”Ellen, Ellen,” she wailed, ”what makes you talk so? You didn't really say that to the gentleman, did you?”

”I didn't, eh?” Ellen tossed her head defiantly. ”You just bet I did!”

”Then what did he say?” It was Terry who again asked the question that would help the narrative on.

Ellen smiled triumphantly. ”He had nothing more to say to me. He just called the book-keeper over to him and says: 'Pay this young woman a week's wages and let her go.' Yes, that was every word he said. Then, without even looking at me, he turned his back and began sorting the papers on his desk. Fine manners for a gentleman, I say!”

Before she finished, every member of the family had looked up in quick surprise.

”Do you mean,” Mrs. O'Brien quavered, ”do you mean, Ellen dear, that he paid you?”

Ellen glanced at her mother scornfully. ”Of course I mean he paid me!

Here!” She opened her handbag and exhibited a wad of bills. ”One five and three ones! Pretty good pay for two days' work--what?”

Mrs. O'Brien turned devout eyes to heaven. ”Thank G.o.d, Ellen dear, he paid you! I was a-fearin' all your hard work was going for nuthin'!

Thank G.o.d, you'll be able to start in this week payin' your board like you intended.”

Ellen looked at her mother coldly. ”Say, Ma, what do you think I am? I told you I'd begin paying three dollars a week as soon as I got a good steady job. Well, have I got a good steady job? No. In fact, I'm out of a job. So you'll just have to wait like everybody else.”

”But, Ellen dear,”--Mrs. O'Brien stretched out an appealing, indefinite hand--”what's this you're saying when you've got the money right there?

It's only Tuesda' now and if you start out bright and early tomorrow hunting a new job, what with your fine looks and your fine education, you'll be sure to land one by the end of the week. And then, don't you see, there won't be any break in your payroll at all.”

Ellen waved her mother airily aside. ”Say, Ma, you don't know anything about it. If you think I'm going to start out again tomorrow morning, you make a mighty big mistake. I'm going to take a couple of days off, I am. I think I deserve them. I guess I've earned my living for this week.

Besides, I've got some shopping to do. I need a new hat and a lot of things.”

”A new hat, Ellen? What's this ye're sayin'? Why, ye've not been wearing this last one a day longer than two weeks. It's a beautiful hat if ye'd not abuse it.” Mrs. O'Brien lifted it carefully from the floor where it still lay and held it up for general inspection. ”Why, Ellen, ye don't know how becomin' it is to you. Just the other morning, while I was sh.e.l.ling peas, Jarge Riley says to me----”

”Just cut out George Riley!” Ellen interrupted sharply. ”I don't care what George Riley says! I'm going to get some decent clothes and that's all there is about it!”

Terry grunted derisively. ”Say, Rosie, ain't we winners?”

Ellen flushed, conscious for the first time of Terry's disapproval. She looked at him angrily, then turned to her mother. ”Now, Ma, just listen to that! He's always nagging at me and you never say a word!”

”Terry, Terry,” Mrs. O'Brien murmured wearily, ”why do ye be talkin'

that way of your own sister? The next time she gets a job, I'm sure she'll begin payin' board the first thing, won't you, Ellen dear?”

”Say, Ma, you and Ellen are a team.” Terry eyed his mother meditatively.

”You take her guff every time. Not a day goes by that she don't pay you dirt, but you keep on trusting her just the same.”

”Ah, Terry lad, how can you talk so? Perhaps Ellen has made a few mistakes, but you oughtn't to forget she's your own sister.”

”I don't.” Terry spoke shortly and rose from his chair. ”Come on, Rosie, no use hanging around here any longer.”