Part 19 (1/2)
”Who wouldn't? What must I do to acquire one--rob a bank?”
Miss Miller laughed in a forced way. ”You will have your little joke.
From what you've told me, I imagine your father has plenty of money.”
”I don't remember saying anything about it,” responded Penny dryly. ”As a matter of fact, my father isn't wealthy.”
”At least your family is comfortably fixed or you wouldn't be at this expensive winter resort,” Miss Miller went on, undisturbed. ”Now would you be able to pay as much as a hundred dollars for a coat?”
”I hadn't even thought of buying one,” replied Penny, trying not to disclose her astonishment. ”Can you really get a good fur coat for as little as a hundred dollars?”
”You could through my friend.”
”Your friend?” asked Penny bluntly. ”Do you mean your new employer?”
”Well, yes,” the actress admitted with a self-conscious laugh. ”He is a fur salesman. You've been very nice to me and I might be able to get a coat for you at cost.”
”That's most kind,” remarked Penny dryly. ”Where could I see these coats?”
”My employer has a salesroom here at the hotel,” Miss Miller declared. ”I can arrange an appointment for you. Say tomorrow at two?”
”I haven't enough money with me to buy a coat even if I wanted one.”
”But if you liked the furs you could wire your parents for more,” the actress wheedled. ”It is a wonderful opportunity. You'll never have another chance to buy a beautiful coat at cost.”
”I'll have to think it over,” Penny returned. ”I suppose you get a commission on every garment sold?”
”A small one. In your case, I'll not take it. I truly am interested in seeing you get your coat, dearie. You have just the figure for it, you're so slim and svelte.”
Penny was not deceived by the flattery. She knew very well that the actress had treated her to dinner for the purpose of making her feel under obligation and as a build-up to the suggestion that she purchase a fur coat.
Glancing at the bill she was relieved to see that she had enough money to pay for her share of the meal.
”No, no, I won't hear of it,” Miss Miller protested grandly.
Summoning the waiter, she gave him a twenty dollar bill.
”Let me know if you decide you would like to see the coats,” she said to Penny as they left the dining room together. ”It won't cost you anything to look, you know.”
”I'll think it over. Thanks for the dinner.”
Penny looked about the crowded lobby for Ralph Fergus or Harvey Maxwell, but neither man was to be seen. While at the hotel she would have liked to acquire a little more information about the Green Room. With the actress hovering at her elbow it was out of the question.
She considered speaking of the matter to Miss Miller, and then abandoned the idea. However, it had occurred to her that the mysterious room of the hotel might have some connection with the actress' present employment, and so she ventured one rather direct question.
”Miss Miller, you're not by chance working for Ralph Fergus or the hotel?”
”Dear me, no!” the actress denied. ”Whatever put such an idea in your head?”
”It just occurred to me. Well, good-bye.”