I'll walk home before I'll do it;" and she glanced at her white hands, to make sure they were not already discolored by the dreaded soap suds! Jenny was delighted with her allotment, which was dish-washing.
"I'm glad I took that lesson at the poor-house years ago," said she one day to Rose, who snappishly replied, "I'd shut up about the poor-house, or they'll think you the pauper instead of Madam Howard." "Pauper?
Who's a pauper ?" asked Lucy Downs, eager to hear so desirable a piece of news.
Ida Selden's large black eyes rested reprovingly upon Rose, who nodded towards Mary, and forthwith Miss Downs departed with the information, which was not long in reaching Mary's ears.
"Why, Mary, what's the matter ?" asked Ida, when towards the close of the day she found her companion weeping in her room.

Without lifting her head, Mary replied, "It's foolish in me to cry, I know, but why need I always be reproached with having been a pauper.

I couldn't help it.

I promised mother I would take care of little Allie as long as she lived, and if she went to the poor-house, I had to go too." "And who was little Allie ?" asked Ida, taking Mary's hot hands between her own.
In few words Mary related her history, omitting her acquaintance with George Moreland, and commencing at the night when her mother died.

Ida was warm-hearted and affectionate, and cared but little whether one were rich or poor if she liked them.