But she'd be better off to die and go to her mother, and then you could get a good place at some farmer's." Mary wondered how he could speak thus carelessly of what would cause her so much sorrow.

Gently lifting the old faded shawl, she looked down upon Alice as she slept.

There was a smile upon her face.

She was dreaming, and as her lips moved, Mary caught the word, "Ma," which the child had applied indiscriminately both to herself and her mother.
Instantly the tears gushed forth, and falling upon the baby's face awoke her.

Her nap was not half out, and setting up a loud cry, she continued screaming until they drove up to the very door of the poor-house.
"For the land's sake," said Mr.Knight, as he helped Mary from the wagon, "what a racket; can't you contrive to stop it?
you'll have Sal Furbush in your hair, for she don't like a noise." Mary glanced nervously round in quest of the goblin Sal, but she saw nothing save an idiotic face with bushy tangled hair; and nose flattened against the window pane.