I walked all day from house to house where I had delivered work, but it was no use; no one wanted anything I could do, and I went back frantic, and found her gnawing her fingers and gibbering in delirium.

She did not know me, and for the first time she implored me for food.
"Then I locked the door and went on the street and I asked a woman.

She laughed and said she'd report me and I'd be locked up for begging.
Then I saw a man I passed sometimes.

I thought he lived close.

I went straight to him, and told him my mother was very ill, and asked him to help her.