Softly Constance patted and smoothed the wealth of golden hair.
"You--you poor little girl," she sympathized.
Then a film came over her own eyes.
"New York took me at a critical time in my own life," she said more to herself than to the girl.

"She sheltered me, gave me a new start.

What she did for me she will do for any other person who really wishes to make a fresh start in life.

I made few acquaintances, no friends.
Fortunately, the average New Yorker asks only that his neighbor leave him alone.

No hermit could find better and more complete solitude than in the heart of this great city." Constance looked pityingly at the girl before her.
"Why can't you tell them," she suggested, "that you wanted to be independent, that you went away to make your own living ?" "But--they--my father--is well off.