ry--you did--when I talked
about it before. The streets, the streets, the streets; little girl, or
big girl, it's only the streets; and always being hungry or cold; and
cruel men when it isn't cruel boys. I want to be happy! I want to enjoy
my new clothes! You tell me about your own self. What makes you so kind?
I can't make it out; try as I may, I can't make it out."

Some time elapsed before they got back to the hotel. Amelius drove as
far as the City, to give the necessary instructions to his bankers.

On returning to the sitting-room at last, he discovered that his
American friend was not alone. A gray-haired lady with a bright
benevolent face was talking earnestly to Rufus. The instant Sally
discovered the stranger, she started back, fled to the shelter of her
bedchamber, and locked herself in. Amelius, entering the room after a
little hesitation, was presented to Mrs. Payson.

"There was something in my old friend's note," said the lady, smiling
and turning to Rufus, "which suggested to me that I should do well to
answer it personally. I am not too old yet to follow the impulse of the
moment, sometimes; and I am very glad that I did so. I have heard what
is, to me, a very interesting story. Mr. Goldenheart, I respect you! And
I will prove it by helping you, with all my heart and soul, to save that
poor little girl who has just run away from me. Pray don't make excuses
for her; I should have run away too, at her age. We have arranged," she
continued, looking again at Rufus, "that I shall take you both to the
Home, this afternoon. If we can prevail on Sally to go with us, one
serious obstacle in our way will be overcome. Tell me the number of her
room. I want to try if I can't make friends with her. I have had some
experience; and I don't despair of bringing her back here, hand in hand
with the terrible person who has frightened her."

The two men were left together. Amelius attempted to speak.

"Keep it down," said Rufus; "no premature outbreak of opinion, if you
please, yet awhile. Wait till she has fixed Sally, and shown us the
Paradise of the poor girls. It's within the London postal district, and
that's all I know about it. Well, now, and did you go to the doctor?
Thunder! what's come to the boy? Seems as though he had left his
complexion in the carriage! He looks, I do declare, as if he wanted
medical tinkering himself."

Amelius explained that his past night had been a wakeful one, and that
the events o