The new song and dance “team” was successful. The boy quickly gained applause, and especially did he easily win the liking of such women as he met or appeared before. A new world was open to him. Naturally he enjoyed the easy conquests that he made in the curious, careless circle into which he had been brought.
He is still having his “fling.” But he has been from the first most obedient and unquestioning to his benefactress. He goes nowhere, does nothing, without previously obtaining permission from her.
She is proud of the advancement that he has accomplished already, and she is determined to make him a conspicuous figure upon the stage.
What is it that actuates this girl in her endeavour to elevate this boy in the world? What the mystery that brought to the gamin this guardian angel in the form of a variety actress who mingles bright sayings with lack of grammar, who tells Rabelaisian anecdotes in one minute and philosophizes in slang about the issues of life the next?
“You're in love with him, aren't you?” I said, as the train plunged on through the darkness.
“I don't know whether I am or not. He's just a kid, you know. I suppose the proper end of such a romance is that we should marry. But then I wouldn't be married to a man that I couldn't look up to.”
“But women don't invariably love that way. I'm sure you're in love with the boy. Have you never thought as to whether you were or not?”
“Have I? I should smile! I thought of it even on the first night, after I picked him up, when I locked him in his room. But I have always regarded him in a sort of motherly way, although only a year older. It seems kind of unnatural for me to love him as a woman loves a man. If he was only older!”
“Ah, that wish is sure evidence that you love him!”
“One thing I do know is that, though he always obeys me, he doesn't care as much for me as I do for him.”