When she yawned, he took her out to the boulevard and walked at her side toward the shabby house. They reached the steps, and Charlotte began to cry.
"What's the matter?"
"I was goin' to thank you, but I don't know how. It was too nice of you. An' now I suppose I'll never see you again."
"Don't be silly. I'll show up at eight in the morning and we'll have breakfast together."
Charlotte looked into his face wistfully. "Say, kid, be a good guy and take me to your hotel, will you? I'm scared I'll lose you."
He held her hands. "You won't lose me. And I haven't got a hotel—yet."
"Then—come up an' stay with me. Honest, I'm all right. I can prove it to you. It'll be doin' me a favor."
"I ought not to, Charlotte."
She threw her arms around him and kissed him. He felt her breath on his lips and the warmth of her body. "You gotta, kid. You're all I ever had. Please, please."
Hugo walked up the stairs thoughtfully. In her small room he watched her disrobe. So willingly now—so eagerly. She turned back the covers of the bed. "It ain't much of a dump, baby, but I'll make you like it."