d the door and entered. "It's the bed-room, and the bed is not
made. That shows all right that a man lives here. A woman would never
think of going away and leaving the bed like that. I'm going to open
the window and air the room. Men always keep the windows shut tight,
and the house gets so stuffy. There, that's better," she panted, as
after some difficulty she forced the window up. "I'm going to make up
that bed just as soon as I get the fire going."

There was a box full of dry wood behind the stove, and soon she had a
fire burning brightly. She next partly filled a small kettle with
water and set it upon the stove.

"You had better take off your wet coat," she suggested to David.
"You'll get your death of cold if you keep it on much longer."

"Can't I help you?" the old man inquired, as he stood watching with
admiration the girl's light step and the skilful way she did
everything. There was a longing in his eyes as well, for he wanted to
be of some use but did not know how.

"Yes, you can help me," and Betty smiled upon him, "by taking that coat
off and sitting down upon that nice cosy place near the stove. It was
certainly made for comfort, and the man who owns this building must
spend his evenings there. What a lot of books he has. He must read a
great deal."

David was only too glad to obey, so after he had taken off his coat and
hung it up back of the stove to dry, he stretched himself at full
length upon the settle.

"This does feel good," and he gave a sigh of relief.

"You're tired, that's what's the trouble with you," Betty replied.
"You shouldn't have a bit of work to do. You're too old, and you
should have some one to look after you all the time."

"How nice it would be if we could live in a place like this, and not go
back to Jim Goban's. Would you be willing to take care of me?" David
asked.

"Sure, I would like nothing better. But, then, there are some things
in the way."

"What are they?"

"Well, you see, there's the question of money. We haven't any
ourselves, and I don't think any one is likely to drop it at our feet
in a hurry. And besides, Jim's got you for a year and he wouldn't want
to give you up; he's going to get a lot of work out of you, so he
plans."

"I know that only too well, Betty. But when I get rich, I mean. If I
had a little place like this you would look after me, would you not? I
would pay you well, and we could be so happy."

"Indeed we could.