“I do not doubt her goodness, sir. Her offer, through you, proves it. The poor working girl thanks her from the bottom of her heart. But this adoption cannot be. Alone I have toiled on for almost three long, to me, very long years. Alone I must continue to tread life’s pathway. I am contented. Why, then, ask me to change? There are thousands upon thousands just as worthy as I, and more needy, upon whom such a noble boon can be conferred. Let your good sister-in-law look for such a one.”
Hattie Butler spoke so earnestly that the two gentlemen deeply felt her appeal. They knew that she alone had the right to choose. But Mr. Legare did not yet despair of carrying his point. He had yet another angle of attack.
“I have received your portfolio of drawings, am delighted with them, and shall take them at your own price,” he continued.
“I set no value on them. They surely are worth but little more than the paper they are drawn on. They are the result of lazy moments, not spent at work or in study.”
“To me they are worth one thousand dollars in gold, and my check is ready for your acceptance, if the price will suit you.”
“One thousand dollars?” gasped Hattie, utterly taken by surprise. “One thousand dollars in gold?”
“Yes, Miss Butler. I am serious. I want the drawings—all are good, and some of them are gems. The street-car scene especially, and the little sweeper on the crossing. My son and daughter went into ecstasies over them. By the way, my daughter is in my carriage now, down on the street, and wishes to see you. She and I have a great favor to ask of you, and Mr. W—— is included in it.”
“Please tell me what it is, sir. The supper hour once over in my boarding-house, and I miss the meal altogether, and it will be supper time now before I can reach there.”
“You will not miss your supper if you do me the favor I ask. It is this: That, even as you are, in your neat working-dress, of which no lady need be ashamed, you ride home with me and my daughter, see my sister-in-law, take a plain family tea with us, Mr. W—— included, and then let me drive you home to your boarding-house. Don’t say no before I finish. My dear sister-in-law, almost an invalid, has expressed a strangely nervous desire to see you, if only for a few moments, before she sleeps. You will perhaps save her from a fit of sickness if you go. My daughter came with me to plead for her poor aunt.”
Hattie paused a moment to think. Not of her dress, but whether it would be right to refuse under such circumstances. Not of the thousand dollar check waiting for her, but whether it would be proper for a poor, friendless working girl to thus accept the hospitality of the rich.