I've married again, and my wife keeps a lodging-house, and wants some one to help her, some one strong and healthy, like Jessie here, and I've come for her.

I didn't see the fun of paying a girl, when we could get a better one for nothing; and I came for her to-day because I thought it would be nice and quiet, not too many about, and not too many leave-takings.

Now, Jess, say good-bye to your granny, I want to be off before the old man gets back, so as to spare him the pain," with a cruel laugh.
Was there no one to help them! No one to appeal to! Jessie and her grandmother looked at each other despairingly.

They could think of no one within a mile or two, except Mrs.Maddock and her little maid, and how could they reach them, and what could they do to help if they did! A deep, hopeless despair settled on both of them.
"If you've anything you wants to bring along with you," said her father curtly, "look sharp and get it.

I don't s'pose it's more than I can carry." Jessie was too stunned to know quite what she was doing.