“I have a room,” she told him, “in a place similar to this one over in Fort Worth. The owner lets me stay and eat, for no pay, as long as I help out with the cleaning and cooking. It seems like a fair trade to me.”
He considered for a long moment. “Yes, that is fair enough. I can't say I like what you haven't said. How you travel from one city to another, uncertain if you'll recover your train fare, and if your host will follow through with promised lodging while out of town. How can you trust these strangers not to take advantage of your vulnerability? It's dangerous in so many different ways, Annabelle.”
Annabelle opened her mouth, but he continued.
“I know you don't have many other options, and I know why you do what you do. You feel it's necessary, don't you?”
“It is necessary,” An
