He had only annoyed her.

And she had her stepfather to face, with news of her discharge from the store.

Her fears were verified; he treated her brutally.

Next day Rose went to work in a laundry.
And then, very soon it seemed, her school days, the merry times with the boys, and Bessy--all were far back in the past.

She did not meet any one who knew her, nor hear from any one.