“Elsie Welcome.”
“Where do you live?”
“On South Tenth street.”
“You come from down state?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s written all over you. What man brought you here?”
The question surprised Elsie and brought back memory of her sorrows. She did not answer. Her eyes filled with tears.
“Come, kid,” said the tall girl, cheerfully, “get hold of yourself. Now, listen! You stay away from Mother Lankee. You’re hungry, ain’t you, dearie? You come with me and we’ll get something to eat.”
Elsie was too tired to resist and, instinctively, she trusted this tall girl with her assumption of guardianship. Together they crossed the street and entered the rear room of a saloon. Three men sat near the entrance playing cards. They looked at the two girls, inspecting Elsie narrowly and nodding carelessly at her companion. The girl took seats at a distant table.
“What do you want, Lou?” inquired one of the men, getting up from the table.