She followed behind him, arguing with him. “You vill be foolish not to take such an offer,” she said. “You von’t find nobody to go out on a rainy day like dis for less. Vy, I haf never took a case in my life so sheap as dot. I couldn’t pay mine room rent⁠—”

Jurgis interrupted her with an oath of rage. “If I haven’t got it,” he shouted, “how can I pay it? Damn it, I would pay you if I could, but I tell you I haven’t got it. I haven’t got it! Do you hear me⁠— I haven’t got it! ”

He turned and started away again. He was halfway down the stairs before Madame Haupt could shout to him: “Vait! I vill go mit you! Come back!”

He went back into the room again.

“It is not goot to tink of anybody suffering,” she said, in a melancholy voice. “I might as vell go mit you for notting as vot you offer me, but I vill try to help you. How far is it?”