"Yes, a little, but it costs a good deal to live."
"Well, if the interest isn't enough, you can use some of the principal. I can put you in the way of earning twenty-five cents."
"Can you?" asked the old woman eagerly. "How?"
"If you'll lend me three dollars till Saturday—I get my wages then—I'll pay you twenty-five cents for the accommodation."
"But you might not pay me," said the old woman cautiously, "and it would kill me to lose three dollars."
Mark wanted to laugh, but felt that it would not do.
"There isn't any danger," he said. "I get two weeks' pay on Saturday. It will be as much as nine dollars, so you see you are sure of getting back your money."
"I—I don't know. I am afraid."
"What are you afraid of?"
"You might get run over by the horse cars, or a truck, and then you couldn't get your money."