Ase set down his bag.
The woman said, “He owes me for two weeks, but mind now, I’m not the kind to let a man starve. I’ve fed him, what I had to spare.”
She eyed him sharply.
“He said you’d pay.”
She brushed back her gray straggling hair.
“I hate to bring up the pay, but you don’t know what I go through, old men dying on me, still owing, and then others not wanting the room if they hear about it. I’ve got my living to make, not like a rich gentleman like you. You will pay, won’t you?”
“Yes, I’ll pay. Thank you.”
She sighed.
“Sorry I don’t have no room for you tonight. Maybe down the street a ways, if you’d care to give me something on account before you go.”
“I’ll stay here.”
The woman hesitated.
Ase said, “I won’t slip away. Here.”
He drew out his wallet and gave her some bill
