Meg laughed bitterly, and remained silent, so silent that her companion thought that she did not wish to talk; but as they neared London she could not refrain from asking another question.
"What are you going to do when you get to London, Miss?"
"I don't know."
"Don't know where you're going! But that ain't safe. There 're wicked people about that takes advantage of a girl like you. Beg your pardon, Miss, I ought to have said young lady."
"No," said Meg hastily, "I'm no lady. I tried to be one and failed. That's just my trouble. I ought never to have tried."
The woman was silent. She began to wonder what sad story was connected with the sweet looking girl opposite to her.
They were nearing London. Meg looked out on the backs of the houses that they passed, and grew frightened.
"Is this London?" she asked fearfully.
"We are getting near. Ain't there a lot of houses?"
"It's dreadful."