Naturally I drew back, for our faces were nearly touching.
"Don't go," she pleaded, catching me by the sleeve and turning astonishingly pale for one ordinarily so ruddy.

"I want to ask a favor of you.

Come into my little room behind.

You won't regret it." This last in an emphatic whisper.
Amazed at the turn which the conversation had taken and congratulating myself greatly upon my success in insuring her immediate confidence, I slipped through the opening she made for me between the tables serving for a counter and followed her into a room at the rear, which from its appearance answered the triple purpose of sleeping-room, parlor and kitchen.
"Pardon my impertinence," said she, as she carefully closed the door behind us.

"It's not my habit to make friends with strangers, but I've taken a fancy to you and think you can be trusted.