human
There, my dear, what do you say to that? asked Mrs. O'Keefe, complacently.
gpt
All nice and comfortable as you would wish to see.
human
It is--very nice,
gpt
And who do you think used to live here?
human
I'm sure I don't know.
gpt
The bearded woman in the dime museum, answered Mrs. O'Keefe, nodding her head.
human
She lived with me three months, and she furnished the room herself. When she went away she was hard up, and I bought the furniture of her cheap. You remember Madam Berger, don't you, Dodger?
gpt
Oh, yes, I seen her often.
human
She got twenty-five dollars a week, and she'd ought to have saved money, but she had a good-for-nothin' husband that drank up all her hard earnin's.
gpt
I hope she didn't drink herself,
human
Not a drop. She was a good, sober lady, if she did work in a dime museum. She only left here two weeks ago. It isn't every one I'd be willin' to take in her place, but I see you're a real leddy, let alone that Dodger recommends you. I hope you'll like the room, and I'll do all I can to make things pleasant. You can go into my room any hour, my dear, and do your little cookin' on my stove. I s'pose you'll do your own cookin'?
gpt
Well, not just at present, faltered Florence.
human
I am afraid I don't know much about cooking.
gpt
You'll find it a deal cheaper, and it's more quiet and gentale than goin' to the eatin'-houses. I'll help you all I can, and glad to.
human
Thank you, Mrs. O'Keefe, you are very kind, said Florence, gratefully.
gpt
Perhaps just at first you wouldn't object to taking me as a boarder, and letting me take my meals with you. I don't think I would like to go to the eating-houses alone.
human
To be sure, my dear, if you wish it, and I'll be glad of your company. I'll make the terms satisfactory.
gpt
I have no doubt of that,
human
If I might be so bold, what kind of work are you going to do?
gpt
I hardly know. It has come upon me so suddenly. I shall have to do something, for I haven't got much money. What I should like best would be to write----
human
Is it for the papers you mean?
gpt
Oh, no; I mean for some author or lawyer.
human
I don't know much about that, said Mrs. O'Keefe.
gpt
In fact, I don't mind tellin' you, my dear, that I can't write myself, but I earn a good livin' all the same by my apple-stand. I tell you, my dear, she continued in a confidential tone,
human
No, Mrs. O'Keefe, she said.
gpt
I am afraid I haven't a business turn, and I should hardly like so public an employment.
human
Lor', miss, it's nothin' if you get used to it. There's nothin' dull about my business, unless it rains, and you get used to havin' people look at you.
gpt
It isn't all that are worth looking at like you, Mrs. O'Keefe,
human
Oh, go away wid your fun, Dodger, said the apple-woman, good-naturedly.
gpt
I ain't much to look at, I know.
human
I think there's a good deal of you to look at, Mrs. O'Keefe. You must weigh near three hundred.
gpt
I've a good mind to box your ears, Dodger. I only weigh a hundred and ninety-five. But I can't be bothered wid your jokes. Can you sew, Miss Florence?
human
Yes; but I would rather earn my living some other way, if possible.
gpt
Small blame to you for that. I had a girl in Dodger's room last year who used to sew for a livin'. Early and late she worked, poor thing, and she couldn't make but two dollars a week.
human
How could she live?
gpt
She didn't live. She just faded away, and it's my belief the poor thing didn't get enough to eat. Every day or two I'd make an excuse to take her in something from my own table, a plate of meat, or a bit of toast and a cup of tay, makin' belave she didn't get a chance to cook for herself, but she got thinner and thinner, and her poor cheeks got hollow, and she died in the hospital at last.
human
You won't die of consumption, Mrs. O'Keefe, said Dodger.
gpt
It'll take a good while for you to fade away.
human
Hear him now, said the apple-woman, laughing.
gpt
He will have his joke, Miss Florence, but he's a good bye for all that, and I'm glad he's goin' to lave Tim Bolton, that ould thafe of the worruld.
human
Now, Mrs. O'Keefe, you know you'd marry Tim if he'd only ask you.
gpt
Marry him, is it? I'd lay my broom over his head if he had the impudence to ask me. When Maggie O'Keefe marries ag'in, she won't marry a man wid a red nose.
human
Break it gently to him, Mrs. O'Keefe. Tim is just the man to break his heart for love of you.
gpt
I must be goin', he said.
human
I've got to work, or I can't pay room rent when the week comes round.
gpt
What are you going to do, Dodger?
human
It isn't time for the evenin' papers yet, so I shall go 'round to the piers and see if I can't get a job at smashin' baggage.
gpt
But I shouldn't think any one would want to do that,
human
It's what we boys call it. It's just carryin' valises and bundles. Sometimes I show strangers the way to Broadway. Last week an old man paid me a dollar to show him the way to the Cooper Institute. He was a gentleman, he was. I'd like to meet him ag'in. Good-by, Miss Florence; I'll be back some time this afternoon.
gpt
And I must be goin', too, said Mrs. O'Keefe.
human
I can't depend on that Kitty; she's a wild slip of a girl, and just as like as not I'll find a dozen apples stole when I get back. I hope you won't feel lonely, my dear.
gpt
I think I will lie down a while, said Florence.
human
I have a headache.