“Yes, honey; but before we go you must take this back again,” said the good woman, trying to force the money into Lilith’s hand, “’cause I don’t want to charge you any board until I can give you a room, my dear; and that won’t be until Brother Moore gets married and goes. And then I will take pay.”
Lilith opened her hand with the palm down, so that it could hold nothing, saying, at the same time:
“And I will not impose myself on you, dear Aunt Sophie, until all my funds are spent, and then—I shall continue to stay with you—perhaps—until you turn me out.”
“That would be forever, then, honey; or, leastways, it would be as long as I should live, for I should never do that cruel thing on no account,” said the old lady.
And so the strife in generosity was ended, and the two friends left the house together.
As they walked down the avenue, Mrs. Downie said:
“I think, dear, as you would be a great deal happier if you were to have some regular employment. You came here to get something to do, didn’t you, now?”
“Yes, Aunt Sophie,” said Lilith, sadly.
“Well, have you tried?”
“Yes, Aunt Sophie. I have advertised in the New York papers, and I have answered advertisements, but have not yet succeeded in getting anything to do.”