She could no longer, by sewing, earn the money required to buy food and pay her rent, and was compelled to resort to severe bodily toil to accomplish that end.
From several of the old friends of her better days, she had obtained sewing, and necessity compelled her to resort to them for still humbler employment.
"Good morning, Mrs.Lee! I have been wondering what in the world had become of you," said one of those former friends, a Mrs.Walker, as the poor woman called to see her, after her recovery.
"I have been very sick," replied Mrs.Lee, in a low feeble voice, and her appearance told too plainly the effects of the sickness upon her.
"I'm sorry to hear it.

But I am very glad you are out again, for my sewing is all behindhand." "I'm afraid that I shall not be able to do any more sewing for a good while," said Mrs.Lee, despondingly.
"Indeed! And why not ?" "Because my eyes have become so weak that I can scarcely see." "Then what do you expect to do?
How will you get along, Mrs.Lee ?" "I can hardly tell myself.

But I must do something." "What can you do besides sewing ?" "I don't know of any thing, unless I take in washing." "Take in washing! You are not fit to stand at the washing tub." "I know that, ma'am.

But when we are driven to it, we can do a great many things, even though we gradually fail under our task." A pause of a few moments ensued, which was broken by Mrs.Lee.
"Will you not give me your washing to do, Mrs.Walker ?" she asked, hesitatingly.
"Why, I don't know about that, Mrs.Lee.I never put my washing out of the house." "You hire some one in the house, then ?" "Yes, and if you will come for what I pay my present washerwoman, why I suppose I might as well throw it in your way." "Oh yes, of course I will.

How much do you give ?" "I give half a dollar a day.