The Free Woman

Toward the end of the meal Claire insultingly crooked her finger at the
landlady and said, "Come here, woman."

The landlady stared, then ignored her.

"Very well. Then I'll say it publicly!" Claire swept the workmen with an
affectionate smile. "Gentlemen of Pellago, I want you to know from one
of the poor tourists who have been cheated at this nasty place that we
depend on you to do something. This woman and her husband are criminals,
in the way they overcharge for hideous food and----"

The landlady had been petrified. Now she charged down. Behind her came
her husband. Milt arose. The husband stopped. But it was Pinky who faced
the landlady, tapped her shoulder, and launched into, "And what's more,
you hag, if our new friends here have any sense, they'll run you out of
town."

That was only the beginning of Pinky's paper on corrections and
charities. He enjoyed himself. Before he finished, the landlady was
crying ... she voluntarily promised to give her boarders waffles, some
morning, jus' soon as she could find the waffle-iron.

With her guard about her, at the office desk, Claire paid one dollar
apiece for the rooms, and discussion was not.

Before they started, Milt had the chance to say to her, "I'm getting so
I can handle Pinky now. Have to. Thinking of getting hold of his
gold-mine. I just give him the eye, as your friend Mr. Saxton would, and
he gets so meek----"

"But don't! Please understand me, Milt; I do admire Mr. Saxton; he is
fine and capable, and really generous; only---- He may be just a bit
snippish at times, while you--you're a playmate--father's and
mine--and---- I did face that landlady, didn't I! I'm not soft and
trivial, am I! Praise!"