[_Crossing to fireplace._
LAURA. How can you say such things to me?
ELFIE. [_Crosses to left end of table._] Because I want you to be
square with yourself. You've lost all that precious virtue women gab
about. When you've got the name, I say get the game.
LAURA. You can go now, Elfie, and don't come back.
ELFIE. [_Gathering up muff, &c._] All right, if that's the way you
want it to be, I'm sorry. [_A knock on the door._
LAURA. [_Controlling herself after a moment's hesitation._] Come in.
ANNIE _enters with a note, crosses, and hands it to_ LAURA.
ANNIE. Mis' Farley sent dis, Miss Laura.
[LAURA _takes the note and reads it. She is palpably annoyed_.
LAURA. There's no answer.
ANNIE. She tol' me not to leave until Ah got an answah.
LAURA. You must ask her to wait.
ANNIE. She wants an answah.
LAURA. Tell her I'll be right down--that it will be all right.
ANNIE. But, Miss Laura, she tol' me to get an answah.
[_Exit reluctantly_.
LAURA. [_Half to herself and half to_ ELFIE.] She's taking advantage
of your being here. [_Standing near door_.
ELFIE. How?
LAURA. She wants money--three weeks' room-rent. I presume she thought
you'd give it to me.
ELFIE. Huh! [_Moves to left_.
LAURA. [_Crossing to table_.] Elfie, I've been a little cross; I
didn't mean it.
ELFIE. Well?
LAURA. Could--could you lend me thirty-five dollars until I get to
work?
ELFIE. Me?
LAURA. Yes.
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