"Ah," said Michael, with a shiver.
"We must just hope for the best," said the girl, striving after cheerfulness; "hope and pray, that's what we've got to do. Did I tell you that Mrs. Lavers sent a message to us girls at the club, asking us all to pray for her?"
"No," said Michael, "you did not tell me that."
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Presently the water began to boil, and his new friend busied herself in making him a cup of cocoa. She did it deftly, and waited upon him in a kind and gentle way; but she was not to be persuaded to take any herself. Michael was hurt by the determined manner in which she refused his hospitality. He could not understand why she did so, for she really looked as if she needed nourishment.
"What work do you do?" he asked presently.
"I make matches when I can get taken on," she replied; "but just now is a slack time in the trade."
"Then you're badly off, I fear," he said.
"I haven't complained, have I?" she asked, turning upon him with an air of defiance. Then, with an evident desire to turn the conversation, she remarked, as she looked about her, "What a sight of books you have, Mr. Betts!"
"Do you like books?" he asked.
She nodded her head. "I'm awful fond of reading."