“She said she would stay on with Natalie for a time, without salary, as she has learned to love her so. You know she has been her companion for four years! And Rachel declares she won’t go even if the world turns upside down,” returned Norma.
“Just like good old Rachel,” declared Belle.
“But they can’t live in New York without a cent of money, you know,” said Janet, with deep concern. “Folks have to pay rent and have something to eat, wherever they are.”
But there was no opportunity to discuss more of Natalie’s problems then, as the girl came up and joined her friends. Her whole carriage denoted utter discouragement, and her face was drawn into lines of anguish.
“Hello, Nat dear! What made you stay in after school?” asked Janet cheerily, placing an arm about the girl’s shoulders.
“I had to tell Miss Mason that I would not finish the term at school,” returned Natalie in a quivering voice.
“No! Why not?” asked several voices.
“Why, I expect to leave the city very soon.”
“Where to?” chorused her companions anxiously.
“Oh, girls! I hate to think of it, it is so awful after all I had hoped to do and be, for Daddy’s sake!” cried the girl, hiding her face in her hands.