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“I wantto get something to do, because I need the money,” she continued, since, in their astonishment, they had not replied to her first question.”Of course I’m not strong and I couldn’t do very much, but I can sew well; and in a house where there was a good many menfolks, I could do all the mending. Do you know of any place where they would like me to come?”

The young women did then exchange a smile, but it was a subtle tender smile, the edge of personal grief.

“Well, no, madam,” hesitatingly said one of them at last; “I don’t think I know anyone.”

A shade passed over the tiny old lady’s face, a shadow of the wing of disappointment.”Don’t you?” she said, with a little struggle to be brave in her voice.

Then the girl hastily continued: “But if you will give me your address, I may find someone, and if I do, I will surely let you know of it.”

The tiny old lady dictated her address, bending over to watch the girl write on a visiting card with a silver pencil. Then she said: “I thank you very much.” She bowed to them, smiling, and went on down the avenue.

As for the two girls, they walked to the curb and watched this aged figure, small and frail, in its black gown and curious black bonnet. At last, the crowd, the innumerable wagons, intermingling and changing with uproar and riot, suddenly engulfed it.