the shiver of pain that had
descended to him from the throne, he worked upon his feelings with raw
whiskey, then went home to his family and broke its workings to bits.
Daisy should go sit in an employment agency until she was employed and
earning money. The youngest boy and the next youngest should sell
newspapers upon the street. Mrs. Obloski should stop mourning for the
baby which she had rolled into a better world three years before, and do
the housework. The better to fit her for this, for she was lazy and not
strong, he kicked her in the ribs until she fainted, and removed
thereby any possibility of her making good the loss for which her
proneness to luxurious rolling had been directly responsible.

So Daisy, who was now nearly sixteen, went to sit with other young women
in a row: some were older than she, one or two younger; but no one of
the others was lovely to look at or had a joyous face.

II

After about an hour's waiting in an atmosphere of sour garments
disguised by cheap perfumery, employment came to Daisy in the stout form
of a middle aged, showily dressed woman, decisive in speech, and rich,
apparently, who desired a waitress.

"I want something cheap and green," she explained to the manager. "I
form 'em then to suit myself." Her eyes, small, quick, and decided,
flashed along the row of candidates, and selected Daisy without so much
as one glance at the next girl beyond. "There's my article, Mrs.
Goldsmith," she said.

Mrs. Goldsmith shook her head and whispered something.

The wealthy lady frowned. "Seventy-five?" she said. "That's ridiculous."

"My Gott!" exclaimed Mrs. Goldsmith. "Ain't she fresh? Loog at her.
Ain't she a fresh, sweet liddle-thing?"

"Well, she looks fresh enough," said the lady, "but I don't go on looks.
But I'll soon find out if what you say is true. And then I'll pay you
seventy-five. Meanwhile"--as Mrs. Goldsmith began to protest--"there's
nothing in it--nothing in it."

"But I haf your bromice--to pay up."

The lady bowed grandly.

"You are sugh an old customer--" Thus Mrs. Goldsmith explained her
weakness in yielding.

Daisy, carrying her few possessions in a newspaper bundle, walked
lightly at the side of her new employer.

"My name is Mrs. Holt, Daisy," said the lady. "And I think we'll hit
things off, if you always try to do just what I tell you."

Daisy was in high spirits. It was wonderful to have found work so easily
and so soon. She was to receive thr