minutes in the cars from here.

So he talked, and Hertha, looking out over the lake to the tall trees,
watched the purple grackles flying back and forth and wished that she
did not have to decide so many things.

Was Dick Brown growing to be fond of her? She hoped that he was not, for
he was the last man in the world for whom she could ever care. But if he
really was learning to love her, what a nuisance to live in the same
house with him; how demanding he would be, and how she would have to
plan to get rid of him! No, it would be far better to stay on in the
noisy little tenement with Kathleen.

"And I've one more thing to tell you, Miss Hertha," Dick said as though
he believed it would be wise to change the subject. "My boss says that
he's going to send me on the road this spring."

"On the road?"

"Yes, to sell goods. It means an advancement. Aren't you glad for me?"

"Why, of course, if you're glad."

"I'm glad of anything that means more money. Up here in New York that's
the one thing to have. If you haven't money you'd better get up and go
home. Look at those men at the opera last night! Why, they can give
their women anything, all the music they want, silk clothes and pretty
slippers, and automobiles to ride home in. It's slick here if you've
plenty of cash, but it's bum if you haven't. So I feel fine to think
there's going to be more cash for me."

They left the summerhouse, and retracing their steps walked out upon a
pleasant street where Dick led the way up a stoop, and pulled out a
latchkey.

"I didn't say I'd go in," Hertha exclaimed.

"You aren't coming to look for a room if you don't want it," Dick
pleaded; "but please come in and see Mrs. Pickens. She's admiring to
meet you."

He swung open the door and before Hertha had made any decision she found
herself in the hallway, with Mrs. Pickens, who had been watching for
them from the window, holding out her hand.

Dick's landlady was a small woman of about fifty, with blonde hair that
was fading in color, and a complexion from which the color, if there had
ever been any, had fled. Her eyes no longer looked bright, but her smile
was cordial and kindly, and her voice almost caressing as she gave her
greeting.

"Dick tells me that you came to the city this autumn to make your way.
It's a big place, isn't it? Sometimes I feel like I never want to go out
in it again. I took this house here so as to be near something green and
quiet; but after I go