“Can you do other work besides, such as dusting and cleaning?”
“Oh, yes; I can do any kind of work.”
“I had just started to look for a housekeeper, and as you are looking for a place, you might try it here for a while. Your duties will not be arduous, as I am alone, though you will be required to take charge of all the work, as I am not wealthy, and am not able to keep other help.”
“Oh, oh, I am so glad. I am sure I can suit you. I’ll show you my boy’s picture, and if you should ever meet him you can tell me.”
She drew from her pocket a photograph carefully wrapped in a piece of newspaper, and, unfolding it, she handed it to Miss Elsworth. She started as she gazed at the features.
“How very handsome he is,” she said. “He should be very good.”
“Oh, my, that’s the trouble. I’m afraid he gets into bad company, for along at first he uster send me some money now and then, but for a year or two he don’t ever write to me.”
“Are you sure he is in New York?”
“Oh, la me, no. I tracked him from one place to another, and the last time I heard from him they told me he was in New York, but didn’t know whether he was going to stay there or not.”