“But, auntie, we needn’t really be parted at all. Why can’t we go and live together at Suicide Place? It’s mine, you know, and much grander, after all, than Bird’s Nest Cottage. There is plenty of nice, old-fashioned furniture too, and I’m sure we could be comfortable. What do you say?”
But Mrs. Banks almost fainted at the bare idea.
“Oh, my pet, I’d make any sacrifice in the world for you, except that one!” she cried, in horror; and so Floy fell into the meshes of her hungry fate.
CHAPTER XIV.
THROWN ON THE WORLD.
Mrs. Banks was wretched at the thought of being parted from Floy, whom she loved as dearly as if she had been her own child.
Tears sprung to her eyes, and she cried piteously:
“Oh, Miss Maybelle, how can I let my child go into that great wicked city of New York, with all its terrible temptations to a poor girl who has to earn her bread! Couldn’t I go, too, and watch over her young life?”
“How could you go? Floy will only earn five dollars a week, and that will barely provide her board, lodging, car-fare, and clothing,” answered Maybelle.
“Good heavens! I should say not,” cried Mrs. Banks, in dismay. “But, oh, I did not mean to live on Floy’s small earnings. Couldn’t I get work in the city, too? If we had only one little room together, we could be happier than apart.”