“In a tenement house?”
“Yes, madam.”
“And you actually come from such a squalid home to instruct my daughter!” exclaimed Mrs. Leighton, indignantly. “It is a wonder you have not brought some terrible disease into the house.”
“There has been no case of disease in the humble dwelling in which I make my home. I should be as sorry to expose your daughter to any danger of that kind as you would be to have me.”
“It is a merciful dispensation of Providence, for which I ought to be truly thankful. But the idea of receiving in my house an inmate of a tenement house! I am truly shocked. Is this apple-woman your mother?”
“I assure you that she is not,” answered Florence, with a smile which she could not repress.
“Or your aunt?”
“She is in no way related to me. She is an humble friend.
“Miss Linden, your tastes must be low to select such a home and such a friend.”
“The state of my purse had something to do with the selection, and the kindness shown me by Mrs. O’Keefe, when I needed a friend, will explain my location further.”