She could barely keep the two children decently clad, and she could not give them the food growing children need.

Three years before she had been employed in a bureau in a department of Washington, doing her work faithfully, at a salary of about $800.

It was enough to keep her and her two children in clothing, food, and shelter.

One day the chief of the bureau called her up and told her he was very sorry that he had to dismiss her.

In great distress she asked him why; she thought that she had been doing her work satisfactorily.