If you'd let me stay a while, perhaps you'd learn to like me.

You see, I've _got_ to earn my own living, and I haven't anywhere to go, and not a friend in the world but you two." These astonishing words, from the pretty, earnest child, in the dainty and fashionable dress of the best people, completely floored the old country couple.
"Well, I swan!" exclaimed Mr.Geary, while Mrs.Geary said, "My stars!" twice, with great emphasis.
"Please," Marjorie went on, "please give me a trial; for I've been thinking it over, and I don't see what I can possibly do but 'work out.' Isn't that what you call it?
And if I learn some with you, I might work out in New York, later on." "Bless your baby heart!" exclaimed Mrs.Geary, wiping her eyes which were moist from conflicting emotions.

"Stay here you shall, if you want to,--though land knows we can't well afford the keep of another." "Oh, are you too poor to keep me ?" cried Marjorie, dismayed.

"I don't want to be a burden to you.

I thought I could help enough to pay for my 'keep.'" "So ye kin, dearie,--so ye kin," said old Zeb, heartily.