“You mean I am a problem?  You—­you do not know what to do with me?”

I glanced at her, surprised by the change in her voice.

“Naturally; a young woman is usually a problem, isn’t she?  This particular one has come with a suddenness sufficient to jar anybody’s nerves.  Three hours ago I was without responsibility, a mere log adrift on the current.  I ’ve hardly wakened up yet to the change in conditions.  Here I am a fellow so utterly worthless that I have n’t even been able to take decent care of myself alone, yet all at once the duty fronts me to double my responsibilities.”

Her cheeks reddened.

“No, you are not!  Is that then your conception of me?  Let me tell you differently.  Just so soon as this city wakes up, I am going to start forth again and seek work.”

The smile I was attempting faded.

“Seek work!  I understood you confided yourself to my care.”

“Not—­not in that way—­never!” indignantly.  “You had no right to so construe my words.  You—­you know I am not like that.  I trusted you as a man; I—­I gave you my—­my confidence as a friend,” her speech growing swift, and impetuous.  “Do not make me sorry.  I will not accept your money; I will never remain dependent upon you, or a burden.  I have regained my courage, and am no longer afraid.  All I needed was to know that I was not all alone—­I can fight for the rest.”

“Mrs. Bernard,” I began quietly, realizing her spirit.  “You have given a wrong meaning to my words; I respect you, believe in you, and merely desire to help you to the best of my ability.  Sit down here, and let us face this thing squarely together.  We must n’t act like children, or close our eyes to facts.  For instance—­we have both been up all night.  That is n’t specially new for me, but it is to you, and the exposure and strain shows.  You are not fit to go out hunting employment.”

“Poverty has no choice,” bitterly.  “The fact that I am tired does not matter.”

“Oh, but it does.  Now I am not quite so badly off as you suppose.  All I ask is a chance to think, to arrange some plan.  Won’t you sit quietly there until I puzzle it out?”

She sank down wearily upon one end of the settee, and I took the other, leaning forward, my face in my hands.

CHAPTER IX

WE COMPLETE ARRANGEMENTS

For a few moments as I sat thus in silence the obvious way out never once occurred to me.  Somehow the memory of my own position had become blotted out in contemplation of the serious predicament of my companion.  How could I assist her in spite of her pride, and her determination to continue the struggle alone.  I could not take her to my boarding house, which was exclusively for men, nor did I have any acquaintance able to furnish her employment.  I shoved my hands deep into my pockets, and my fingers touched the two