The elderly maiden caught at the words.
"The bank! Isn't it awful. They wouldn't give me mine, yesterday, and I wanted it the worst way, too. But tell me about your trouble."
In a few words, spoken as plainly as possible, Deb poured her tale into the lady's ear.
"I heard about your brother being arrested for the fire," remarked Miss Parks. "But I didn't believe it. Mr. Long says Jack is such a good fellow, and such an excellent scholar."
"I'm glad you think so," burst out the girl. "Oh, Miss Parks, if people only knew Jack as well as I do, they wouldn't say such horrid things about him."
"Well, dear, we all have our trials, and must ask Him to help us bear them," replied the elderly maiden, with sincere piety. "But about the rent. How much is it?"
"Six dollars."
"Not much, truly. But it's more than I have, or I'd pay it in a minute. Have you any money at all?"
"Not over three dollars."
Miss Parks drew out her pocketbook, and examined the contents.