Page:Sheila and Others (1920).djvu/40

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
28
SHEILA AND OTHERS

'ome," and who had a well-paying job in sight if only he could borrow a trifling sum in advance by way of palliating a heartless landlady, and with which to procure some fresh linen. It would make you weep (if you were of a tender heart) to see a strong man withstayed for want of such elementary needs as these. I helped him to his mythical job several times, not out of faith, but out of weakness. I also helped him (substantially) to get off to Montreal where he held out the alluring bait of transport overseas, the ticket for this most desirable climax having been provided by some anxious friend at 'ome.

Of course he turned up again and more belligerently than ever, the front hall requiring even longer airing after his periodic visits. He had a way of handing Janet a letter for me marked "personal" well written in a good business hand, in which he stated his requirements, and closed by saying he would call again in the course of an hour. This was neat. One so much preferred putting something in an envelope, to undergoing an interview. He certainly had brought the art of begging down to a fine point. It didn't ruffle him in the least