“Might we see the house?” Zelda asked guilelessly. “I know you said it needs some work, but I should so love to see it in its original state, so to speak.”

“I’ll, uh, have to consult the owner. He really hates being bothered.”

“Perhaps if you tell him we will be the ones financing the purchase, he will feel less bothered,” Zelda suggested. Cybil was beginning to suspect she was only pretending to believe this story.

Mr. Waterson smiled tolerantly. “I will inquire, but at the very least, I can take you to see the outside of the building. It is in a very quiet part of the city.”

“I hope it isn’t in a wealthy neighborhood,” Zelda said with a worried frown. “People can be so snobbish and judgmental. We wouldn’t want the girls to feel the weight of discrimination, would we?”

“I’m sure people will be kind once they understand the purpose of the refuge,” Mr. Waterson hastily assured her.

“You may be giving people too much credit,” Cybil said, “but I hope you are correct.”

“When they see that two such respectable college professors are involved with the project, they are bound to be supportive,” he said.

“I would like to think that would help,” Cybil said quite fervently.

Mr. Waterson sighed with satisfaction. “I will need to make the purchase as quickly as possible, you understand. As I said, the house will require a lot of work, and the sooner we get started, the sooner we can save these young ladies from the streets.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Waterson,” Cybil said, “but there is one small difficulty.”

He didn’t look too concerned. “And what might that be?”

“Well, as I said, I have an inheritance from my uncle, but I haven’t actually received it yet.”

He still did not look too concerned. “How much longer do you think you will have to wait until you do receive it?”

“My attorney says it shouldn’t take long. Perhaps a few days or a week.”

Waterson nodded. “I’m sure I can convince the owner to wait that long when I explain the circumstances.”

“And in the meantime,” Zelda said with enthusiasm, “we can see the house.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” he hastily agreed, but then he frowned. “Uh, it’s none of my business, of course, but you said purchasing the house would use only a portion of your inheritance. I would like to think the total sum is adequate to fund other projects, too.”

Well played, Cybil thought. He did need to know how much she was worth to him, after all. “Indeed it is, Mr. Waterson,” she said, not giving anything away. A lady would never discuss such things with a stranger.

“Over a hundred thousand dollars,” Zelda added with her guileless smile.