"Now, girls," he said, happily, after greetings were exchanged, "I'm
going to take you right up to a friend of mine. I telephoned to her
this morning that you were coming, and maybe she knows of a place for
you."
Driving along Fifth avenue and Riverside Drive, in Dr. Cadman's
machine, made New York appear very different from the view presented to
the girls when coming out of the Hudson terminal into crowded streets.
The city seemed to Betty a most wonderfully attractive place at this
stage of her experience.
At last they drew up in front of Edith's home, a beautiful house in the
West Eighties.
As they entered and Dr. Cadman introduced them to Edith Esterbrook,
both girls felt slightly embarrassed at the strangeness of this New
York home.
"It's all so grand and formal," thought Betty.
But Edith soon had the girls feeling quite at ease, entering into their
plans and work with real interest.
"So you are looking for a home for one month?" asked Edith kindly.
"Just one room," answered Betty shyly. "Do you know anyone with a
house-keeping room we could rent?"
Edith and Dr. Cadman exchanged smiles.
"I can't say I do," returned Edith amused. "None of my friends rent
rooms. But I'm going to ask you both to spend a month here,--as my
visitors. Of course, you'll be busy all the time, I know, but you may
come and go as you wish, and you'll feel you have a home to come to
instead of a stranger's house."
"Do you really mean it?" exclaimed Betty, forgetting her shyness, and
becoming her old bright, impulsive self.
Dell looked happy, but rather doubtful.
"Betty, it's awfully kind of Miss Esterbrook, but don't you think that
we ought to have it harder?"
At this, Dr. Cadman and Edith laughed heartily.
"My dears, you'll have all the hardships you wish before you get
through. Just take the sunshine while you can get it--and then, you
know, I want you to tell us all about 'Mormonism,' and my friends, too.
It will take almost a month to tell everyone that I introduce you to."
Dr. Cadman was not much surprised at Edith's offer. He was accustomed
to having her do what her friends called "odd." Only a month ago, she
housed three Salvation Army lassies for a week.
Betty's eyes shone with enthusiasm.
"Dear Sister Esterbrook," she said, "we will come and be so glad to.
And if we can bring you the gospel, I know that you will be more than
repaid for your kindness--our religion is the greatest thing in the
world--the greatest joy that we could bring anyone!"
Edith gazed at the earnest girl before her, and then, rising, took both
her hands lovingly,
"New York needs just such girls as you," she said kindly. "I see your
religion is a vital one. Yes, I know that we will be friends. Let Dr.
Cadman take you home; get what things you need, and come back tonight."
Dr. Cadman looked on with a studious smile.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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