forces of the devil had triumphed. She caught glimpses of her now and then, but today was the first time she had spoken to her for ten years. She saw the tears that gathered but did not fall; then her hands quivered.
“Bertie,” she began brokenly. The girl shivered, but stood aloof.
‚ÄúMiss Smith,‚Äù she said. ‚ÄúNo‚ÅÝ‚Äîdon‚Äôt talk‚ÅÝ‚ÄîI‚Äôm bad‚ÅÝ‚Äîbut I‚Äôve got a little girl, Miss Smith, ten years old, and‚ÅÝ‚Äîand‚ÅÝ‚ÄîI‚Äôm afraid for her; I want you to take her.‚Äù
“I have no place for one so young. And why are you afraid for her?”
“The men there are beginning to notice her.”
“Where?”
“At Elspeth’s.”
“Do you stay there now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”