don't--"

"Ah'd _thank_ you, Mist' Wrenn, if you could _conveniently_ let me
_know_ before you go running off and leaving me with empty rooms,
with the landlord after the rent, and me turning away people
that 'd pay more for the room, because Ah wanted to keep it for
you. And people always coming to see you and making me answer
the door and--"

Even the rooming-house worm was making small worm-like sounds
that presaged turning. Lee Theresa snapped just in time, "Oh,
cut it out, Ma, will you!" She had been staring at the worm, for
he had suddenly become interesting and adorable and,
incidentally, an heir. "I don't see why Mr. Wrenn ain't giving
us all the notice we can expect. He said he mightn't be going
for a long time."

"Oh!" grunted Mrs. Zapp. "So mah own flesh and blood is going
to turn against me!"

She rose. Her appearance of majesty was somewhat lessened by
the creak of stays, but her instinct for unpleasantness was
always good. She said nothing as she left them, and she plodded
up-stairs with a train of sighs.

Mr. Wrenn looked as though sudden illness had overpowered him.
But Theresa laughed, and remarked: "You don't want to let Ma
get on her high horse, Mr. Wrenn. She's a bluff."

With much billowing of the lower, less stiff part of her