?"

"That," said Daisy, already in an anguish lest it be taken from her, "is
my doll."

Mrs. Holt took the doll in her hands and turned it over and back. She
looked at it, her head bent, for quite a long time. Then, all of a
sudden, she made a curious sound in the back of her throat that sounded
like a cross between a choke and a sob. Then she spoke swiftly--and like
one ashamed:

"You won't suit me, girlie--I can see that. Wrap up those things again,
and--No, you mustn't go back to Goldsmith's--she's a bad woman--you
wouldn't understand. Can't you go back home? No?... They need what you
can earn.... Here, you go to Hauptman's employment agency and tell him I
sent you. No.... You're too blazing innocent. I'll go with you. I've got
some influence. I'll see to it that he gets a job for you from some one
who--who'll let you alone."

"But," said Daisy, gone quite white with disappointment, "I would have
tried so hard to please you, Mrs. Holt. I----"

"You don't know what you're saying, child," exclaimed Mrs. Holt. "I--I
don't need you. I've got trouble here." She touched what appeared to be
an ample bosom. "One-half's the real thing and one-half's just padding.
I'm not long for this world, and you've cost me a pretty penny, my dear;
but it's all right. I don't need _you_!"

So Mrs. Holt took Daisy to Hauptman's agency. And he, standing in fear
of Mrs. Holt, found employment for her as waitress in a Polish
restaurant. Here the work was cruel and hard, and the management
thunderous and savage; but the dangers of the place were not machine
made, and Daisy could sleep at home.

III

Daisy had not been at work in the restaurant many weeks before the
proprietor perceived that business was increasing. The four tables to
which Daisy attended were nearly always full, and the other waitresses
were beginning to show symptoms of jealousy and nerves. More dishes were
smashed; more orders went wrong; and Daisy, a smooth, quick, eager
worker, was frequently delayed and thrown out of her stride, so to
speak, by malicious stratagems and tricks. But Linnevitch, the
proprietor, had a clear mind and an excellent knowledge of human nature.
He got rid of his cash-girl, and put Daisy in her place; and this in
face of the fact that Daisy had had the scantiest practice with figures
and was at first dismally slow in the making of change. But Linnevitch
bore with her, and encouraged her. If now and then she made too much
change, he forga