he girl was speaking in a cold, matter-of-fact voice, as of things
about which she was no longer able to suffer. "So, there I was--on the
street," she went on. "You have always had money, a comfortable home,
education, friends to help you--all that. You can't imagine how it is
to be in the world without any of these things. I lived on my savings as
long as I could; then I had to leave my baby in a foundling's home, and
I went out to do my five hours on the boulevards. You know the game, I
have no doubt."

Yes, George knew the game. Somehow or other he no longer felt bitter
towards this poor creature. She was part of the system of which he was
a victim also. There was nothing to be gained by hating each other.
Just as the doctor said, what was needed was enlightenment. "Listen," he
said, "why don't you try to get cured?"

"I haven't got the price," was the answer.

"Well," he said, hesitatingly, "I know a doctor--one of the really good
men. He has a free clinic, and I've no doubt he would take you in if I
asked him to."

"YOU ask him?" echoed the other, looking at George in surprise.

The young man felt somewhat uncomfortable. He was not used to playing
the role of the good Samaritan. "I--I need not tell him about us," he
stammered. "I could just say that I met you. I have had such a wretched
time myself, I feel sorry for anybody that's in the same plight. I
should like to help you if I could."

The girl sat staring before her, lost in thought. "I have treated you
badly, I guess," she said. "I'm sorry. I'm ashamed of myself."

George took a pencil and paper from his pocket and wrote the doctor's
address. "Here it is," he said, in a business-like way, because he felt
that otherwise he could become sentimental. He was half tempted to tell
the woman what had happened to him, and all about Henriette and the
sick child; but he realized that that would not do. So he rose and shook
hands with her and left.

The next time he saw the doctor he told him about this girl. He decided
to tell him the truth--having already made so many mistakes trying
to conceal things. The doctor agreed to treat the woman, making the
condition that George promise not to see her again.

The young man was rather shocked at this. "Doctor," he exclaimed, "I
assure you you are mistaken. The thing you have in mind would be utterly
impossible."

"I know," said the other, "you think so. But I think, young man, that
I know more about life than you