human
You must not pay for me, Dodger,
gpt
Why not? asked the boy.
human
Ain't we friends?
gpt
Yes, but you have no money to spare. Here, let me return the money.
human
You can pay next time, Miss Florence. It's all right. Now, I'll tell you where we are goin'. A friend of mine, Mrs. O'Keefe, has a lodgin' house, just off the Bowery. I saw her last night, and she says she's got a good room that she can give you for two dollars a week--I don't know how much you'd be willing to pay, but----
gpt
I can pay that for a time at least. I have a little money, and I must find some work to do soon. Is this Mrs. O'Keefe a nice lady?
human
She ain't a lady at all, answered Dodger, bluntly.
gpt
She keeps an apple-stand near the corner of Bowery and Grand Street; but she's a good, respectable woman, and she's good-hearted. She'll be kind to you, and try to make things pleasant; but if you ain't satisfied----
human
It will do for the present. Kindness is what I need, driven as I am from the home of my childhood. But you, Dodger, where do you live?
gpt
I'm goin' to take a small room in the same house, Miss Florence.
human
I shall be glad to have you near me.
gpt
I am proud to hear you say that. I'm a poor boy, and you're a rich lady, but----
human
Not rich, Dodger. I am as poor as yourself.
gpt
You're a reg'lar lady, anyway. You ain't one of my kind, but I'm going to improve and raise myself. I was readin' the other day of a rich man that was once a poor boy, and sold papers like me. But there's one thing in the way--I ain't got no eddication.
human
You can read and write, can't you, Dodger?
gpt
Yes; I can read pretty well, but I can't write much.
human
I will teach you in the evenings, when we are both at leisure.
gpt
Will you? asked the boy, with a glad smile.
human
You're very kind--I'd like a teacher like you.
gpt
Then it's a bargain, Dodger, and Florence's face for the first time lost its sad look, as she saw an opportunity of helping one who had befriended her.
human
But you must promise to study faithfully.
gpt
That I will. If I don't, I'll give you leave to lick me.
human
I shan't forget that, said Florence, amused.
gpt
I will buy a ruler of good hard wood, and then you must look out. But, tell me, where have you lived hitherto?
human
I don't like to tell you, Miss Florence. I've lived ever since I was a kid with a man named Tim Bolton. He keeps a saloon on the Bowery, near Houston Street. It's a tough place, I tell you. I've got a bed in one corner--it's tucked away in a closet in the day.
gpt
I suppose it is a drinking saloon?
human
Yes, that's what it is.
gpt
And kept open very late?
human
Pretty much all night.
gpt
Is this Tim Bolton any relation of yours?
human
He says he's my father; but I don't believe it.
gpt
Have you always lived with him?
human
Ever since I was a small kid.
gpt
Have you always lived in New York?
human
No; I was out in Australia. Tim was out in the country part of the time, and part of the time he kept a saloon in Melbourne. There was thieves and burglars used to come into his place. I knew what they were, though they didn't think I did.
gpt
How terrible for a boy to be subjected to such influences.
human
But I've made up my mind I won't live with Tim no longer. I can earn my own livin' sellin' papers, or smashin' baggage, and keep away from Tim. I'd have done it before if I'd had a friend like you to care for me.
gpt
We will stand by each other, Dodger. Heaven knows I need a friend, and if I can be a friend to you, and help you, I will.
human
We'll get out here, Miss Florence. I told Mrs. O'Keefe I'd call at her stand, and she'll go over and show you your room.