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           Thegrimyfacesoftened."Here,poorthing,"shesaid,andpushedafifty-pencepieceintoRichard’shand."‘Owlongyoubeenonthestreets,then?"

           "I’mnothomeless,"explainedRichard,embarrassed,attemptingtogivetheoldwomanhercoinback."Please—takeyourmoney.I’mfine.Ijustcameoutheretogetsomeair.IgotoLondontomorrow,"headded.

           Shepeereddownathimsuspiciously,thentookbackherfiftypenceandmadeitvanishbeneaththelayersofcoatsandshawlsinwhichshewasenveloped."I’vebeentoLondon,"sheconfided."IwasmarriedinLondon.Buthewasabadlot.Memamtoldmenottogomarryingoutside,butIwasyoungandbeautiful,althoughyou’dnevercreditittoday,andIfollowedmyheart."

           "I’msureyoudid,"saidRichard.Theconvictionthathewasabouttobesickwasstarting,slowly,tofade.

           "Fatlotofgooditdoneme.Ibeenhomeless,soIknowwhatit’slike,"saidtheoldwoman."That’swhyIthoughtyouwas.WhatyougoingtoLondonfor?"

           "I’vegotajob,"hetoldherproudly.

           "Doingwhat?"sheasked.

           "Um,Securities,"saidRichard.

           "Iwasadancer,"saidtheoldwoman,andshetotteredawkwardlyaroundthesidewalk,hummingtunelesslytoherself.