I only stop on
Sundays."
"But just come home with me for a little while," coaxed the wheedling
tones. "You look so tired, and I've some girls of my own. I know you would
enjoy resting and talking with them."
The kindness in her tones touched the weary girl. Her pride had been stung
to the quick by the haughty woman in the school. This woman would soothe
her with kindness.
"Do you live far from here?" asked Elizabeth.
"Only two or three blocks," said the woman. "You ride along by the
sidewalk, and we can talk. Where are you going? You look as if you had
come a long distance."
"Yes," said the girl wearily, "from Montana. I am going to school. Is this
Philadelphia?"
"This is Chicago," said the woman. "There are finer schools here than in
Philadelphia. If you like to come and stay at my house awhile, I will see
about getting you into a school."
"Is it hard work to get people into schools?" asked the girl wonderingly.
"I thought they would want people to teach."
"No, it's very hard," said the lying woman; "but I think I know a school
where I can get you in. Where are your folks? Are they in Montana?"
"They are all dead," said Elizabeth, "and I have come away to school."
"Poor child!" said the woman glibly. "Come right home with me, and I'll
take care of you. I know a nice way you can earn your living, and then you
can study if you like. But you're quite big to go to school. It seems to
me you could have a good time without that.
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