The pipe was again removed.
"If yer afther thinkin' yer goin' to live here for nothin' till yer growed up, yer pretty much mistaken. Atin' us out o' house an' home, an' nothin' to show for it!"
"OH, BUT, REALLY, MR. BRADY, I DON'T EAT MUCH."
"Oh, but really, Mr. Brady, I don't eat much. That is just what is the matter with me, and why I had to have the doctor. I only eat a little oatmeal and cream for breakfast, and I don't really care for anything but sweetbreads and ice-cream, and I can get along very well without them. You won't have to get anything extra for me. I will promise not to eat a bit more than I can help. And I could do ever so much to help Mrs. Brady, taking care of the baby or washing the dishes. Please let me stay!"
And she looked imploringly from one to the other.
Mrs. Brady stepped over to the corner, and a conversation ensued between her and her husband of which Elizabeth could hear but snatches. The question of money appeared to figure largely in it, and she heard the words "reward" and "have us arrested."
Finally Mrs. Brady turned to her visitor.
"Pop says you can stay for the prisent."
"Oh, thank you!" said Elizabeth, gratefully. "Shall I go take off my things? And where shall I put them?"