Fan : the story of a young girl's life by W. H. (William Henry) Hudson
page 73 of 610 (11%)
page 73 of 610 (11%)
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something of that sort. Why did you go starving about the streets, Fan?"
"But no one would take me with such clothes, ma'am. They wouldn't look at me or speak to me even in the little shops where I went to ask for work." Miss Starbrow uttered a curious little laugh. "What a strange thing it seems," she said, "that a few shillings to buy decent clothes may alter a person's destiny. With the shillings--about as many as the man of God pays for his sirloin--shelter from the weather and temptations to evil, three meals a day, a long pleasant life, husband and children, perhaps, and at last--Heaven. And without them, rags and starvation and the streets, and--well, this is a question for the mighty intellect of a man and a theologian, not for mine. I dare say you don't know what I'm talking about, Fan?" "Not all, ma'am, but I think I understand a little." "Very little, I should think. Don't try to understand too much, my poor girl. Perhaps before you are eighty, if you live so long, you will discover that you didn't even understand a little. Ah, Fan, you have been sadly cheated by destiny! Childhood without joy, and girlhood without hope. I wish I could give you happiness to make up for it all, but I can't be Providence to anyone." "Oh, ma'am, you have made me so happy!" exclaimed Fan, the tears springing to her eyes. Miss Starbrow frowned a little and turned her face aside. Then she said: |
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