The girl was taken quite by surprise, and even more so when Mrs. Kennedy brought in a substantial supper, which had been cooking on the stove of a neighbor. To this Nelson added a quart of ice cream from a near-by confectioner's, and the birthday party was voted a great success by all who participated.
"You have all been so kind to me," said Gertrude, when they broke up, "you make me forget what I had to give up."
"Don't ye be after worryin', dear," said Mrs. Kennedy. "'Twill all come out right in the end."
"I trust so, Mrs. Kennedy. But I ask for nothing more than that I can earn my own living and keep the friends I have made," answered the girl.
"How many scholars have you now?" questioned Gladys.
"Fourteen, and two more are promised."
"Sixteen is not bad," said our hero, who knew that that meant eight dollars a week for the teacher.
It was after midnight when the party broke up, and Nelson had to take Gladys to her home, several blocks away. The flower girl lived with a bachelor brother, who supported himself and paid the rent. The rest Gladys had to supply herself.
"I wish I had a regular stand for flowers," she said to Nelson. "I could make a good deal more, then."
"I'll help you buy a stand some day, Gladys," he replied. "I know a good place up in your neighborhood."