"Ha!" John snorted.
"Well?"
"Freedom! Where is it?"
"With the lady tramp."
"And what is it?"
"Being able to do what you like," Miriam said promptly, "and having no Notya."
John was trying to look patient. "Very well. Let us consider that."
"Yes, grandpapa," Miriam answered meekly, and tweaked Helen's toe.
"You think the tramp can do what she likes, but she has no money in her pocket, so she can't buy the comfortable bed and the good meal she is longing for. She can only go to the first workhouse or sell herself for the price of a glass of gin."
"A pretty tramp like me," Miriam began, and stopped at Helen's pleading. "But John and I are facing facts, so you must not be squeamish. When you come to think of it," she went on, "lady tramps generally have gentlemen tramps with them."