"Has the young lady come into the city on a shopping excursion?" inquired the new acquaintance, smiling.
"No, sir; she is just on her way from New York. I went to fetch her."
"You are a young guardian."
"Rather, sir; but there was no one else to go for her."
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Are you attending school?"
"No, sir; I should be glad to do so; but my aunt is not in good circumstances, and I have to work. I have been employed in the mills, but they discharged some of their hands lately, and I was among them."
"How would you like to come to Boston to work?"
"Very much."