A Heart's Bitterness — page 172: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

164 A HEART'S BITTERNESS. «But you should make people do their duty by you, my poor little dear.” “<T can’t—lI’ve tried—it is no use. It made me so des- perate, that I felt as if I must run away from them all. I like it here, it is so quiet, and you look so kind and so true. Won’t you let me stay? Ill pay you. I have some money. There are a hundred pounds in that bag hanging on the back of your cbair.” . ‘‘A hundred pounds! Save us! I never saw so much money in my life, at once!” cried the old dame, jumping up and eying the bag in awe. ; “Oh, that is not much—but—it will take care of me for a month or so, won’t it—till I get strong, and earn more?” ‘“A month or two! How ever have you been living, child?” «Why, like the rest of the people around me, I suppose. I never learned much, nor did much but amuse myself, and go about, and enjoy music, and flowers, and pictures, and fine things. I suppose it is asthe French say. I have been a rose, and lived as roses live, but I can do differently.” The old woman respectfully took the gray plush bag and laid it by Violet’s side. Violet was ready to open it at once, saying: : “JT will give you the money; only I must get some changes of clothes, a very few, not costly; and by the time the rest is gone I will earn some more. People do earn _ their living, and so can I—I can learn. You will tell me. Are there not ways? It will not take much to support me.” “< But it will be long before you can begin, my dear.” “Oh, no; I will begin at once—next week. I can em- broider, and make lace; and I could teach music to little children, maybe. Why, any young girl can support herself. How much does one need ?” ‘“But two, my dear—two needs more.” ‘<'I'wo, certainly. But there is no question of two—only of me. Kate could do for herself. But if you will keep me, maybe I’d not send for Kate; so it is only one.” ‘* But there may be a little child, my dear.” ‘No, no,” said Violet; ‘‘I’ve done hoping for that. It might have made things right; but it’s too late.” ‘My dear, have you run away from your friends?” ‘““Yes, I have. I could not endure the deceit, the——” comicbooks co