I am strong again, and I will not go.

It is between God and me, this decision; between God and me." She drooped her head, hiding her face upon her arms, her shoulders trembling.

"You--you may despise me; you may think me the lowest of the low, but I--I am going to stay here." I sat in silence, amazed, puzzled, gazing across at her, my face sober, my hands clinched.
"You actually mean you dare risk yourself here--with me ?" "With your help; with you as a friend to talk to--yes." I drew in my breath sharply, my forehead beaded with perspiration.
"But stop and think what I am," I urged recklessly.

"A mere hobo." She raised her face, the flushed cheeks wet, the brown eyes glowing indignantly.
"No," she said earnestly.

"You are not that; you are a man." For a long minute I did not answer, unable to determine what to do, how to act.