"What shall we do for candy ?" "We cannot make any now; my mother is very sick." "I get my living by selling candy," said one of them.

"I shan't have anything to pay my board if I can't sell candy." "Poor Mary! I am sorry for you." This girl was an orphan whose mother had recently died, and she had taken up the business of selling candy, which enabled her to pay fifty cents a week for her board, at the house of a poor widow.

Katy knew her history, and felt very sad as she thought of her being deprived of the means of support.
"I don't know what I shall do," sighed Mary.
"I have to take care of my mother now, and shall not have time to make candy," said Katy.
"Do you mean to give up for good ?" asked one of them.
"I don't know." This question suggested some painful reflections to Katy.

If they stopped making candy, she and her mother, as well as orphan Mary, would be deprived of the means of support.

She trembled as she thought of the future, even when she looked forward only a few weeks.