"I wouldn't like there to be any--" "Nay, that I'll not!" protested Mrs.Lessways.
Mrs.Grant's pressing duties necessitated her immediate departure.

Mrs.
Lessways ceremoniously insisted on her leaving by the front door.
"I don't know where you'll find another rent-collector that's worth his salt--in this town," observed Mrs.Grant, on the doorstep.

"I can't think _what_ you'll do, Mrs.Lessways!" "I shall collect my rents myself," was the answer.
When Mrs.Grant had crossed the road and taken the bricked path leading to the paralytic's house, Mrs.Lessways slowly shut the door and bolted it, and then said to Hilda: "Well, my girl, I do think you might have tried to show just a little more feeling!" They were close together in the narrow lobby, of which the heavy pulse was the clock's ticking.
Hilda replied: "You surely aren't serious about collecting those rents yourself, are you, mother ?" "Serious?
Of course I'm serious!" said Mrs.Lessways.
II "Why shouldn't I collect the rents myself ?" asked Mrs.Lessways.
This half-defiant question was put about two hours later.

In the meantime no remark had been made about the rents.

Mother and daughter were now at tea in the sitting-room.