He grew wrathful over the
suspicion, but a secret curiosity still held his temper within
bounds "What do you mean?" he repeated; and now the full force
of his strong voice set the room trembling.
The tones of the girl came softly musical, made more delicately
resonant to the ear by contrast with the man's roaring.
"Why," she said, very gently, "I mean just this: Give them a
living chance to be honest."
"A living chance!" The two words were exploded with dynamic
violence. The preposterousness of the advice fired Gilder with
resentment so pervasive that through many seconds he found
himself unable to express the rage that flamed within him.
The girl showed herself undismayed by his anger.
"Yes," she went on, quietly; "that's all there is to it. Give
them a living chance to get enough food to eat, and a decent room
to sleep in, and shoes that will keep their feet off the pavement
winter mornings. Do you think that any girl wants to steal? Do
you think that any girl wants to risk----?"
By this time, however, Gilder had regained his powers of speech,
and he interrupted stormily.
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