“Of course she could, until you can do better for her. And now I must go, for I am keeping you from your tea, while they are waiting for me on —— Street. Miss Wilde, my dear, I leave you in good hands, and if you ever want a friend, call on me. Sophie Downie, you see I am due in Boston, at my daughter’s, to-morrow. That’s why I am in such a hurry now. Good-bye!”
And so saying, the dear woman kissed her old friend, and then kissed Lilith and left a card with her address in the girl’s hand.
The next instant she was gone, and Lilith was alone with the landlady.
“Come, my dear, come upstairs to my room and take off your things and wash your face and hands, if you wish; and then we will go down and get some supper. My dear, I hope you will feel at home here. Most of my boarders are young people. Two young ladies who are public school teachers, and one who is a colorer of photographs, and then I have a young Methodist minister who has a parish near this. He is going to be married soon, though, as ministers must, you know, and then we shall lose him. And then, my dear, if you are still with us, you shall have his room and be comfortable.”
So talking, the landlady led Lilith upstairs and so installed her in the home that was to be hers for many months to come.
CHAPTER VII
LILITH’S STRUGGLES
Perhaps in some long twilight hour,
Like those we have known of old,
When past shadows round you gather,
And your present friends grow cold,