Me first thought was that they all had gone away, but when I got nearer, I noted my mistake.

Molly's mother was busy sewing, and sitting near her was her charming daughter Molly, leaning back in her chair, with her head thrown still further back, her mouth wide open, and she a-snoring.

I've no doubt that she had become exhausted from overwork, and was taking a little nap.

The mother looked up as I stepped softly in, and I axed her, in an undertone, how long her pet child had been asleep.

She said between two or three hours, and that she would wake her up, if Molly hadn't told her before closing her eyes that if she dared to disturb her before her nap was finished, she'd break the old lady's head.