"That woman, who has all John Maxwell's money, is too stingy and mean to support her niece, and she too delicate to work," people said.

The dressmaker to whom Lois appealed did not for a minute hesitate to give her work, although she had already many women sewing for her, and she had just given some to Mrs.Maxwell's daughter Flora.
"There!" said she, when Lois had gone out.

"I ain't worth five hundred dollars in the world, I don't know how she'll sew, and I didn't need any extra help--it's takin' it right out of my pocket, likely as not--but I couldn't turn off a cat that looked up at me the way that child did.

She looks pinched.

I don't believe that old woman gives her enough to eat.