The quiet Indiana town where she earned her living as a cook offered Nellie so little diversion that she determined to go to Chicago to live.

She gave up her place, and with a month's wages in her pocket went to the city.
It was late in the afternoon when her train reached the station.

Nellie alighted, bewildered and lonely.

She had the address of an employment agency, furnished her by an acquaintance.

Nellie slept that night, or rather tossed sleepless in the agency lodging house, on a dirty bed occupied by two women besides herself.