I suppose you don't know where I live or anything about me, do you ?" "No," replied Grace, shaking her head, "but I'd be glad to have you tell me." "Well," continued Mabel, "I'm an orphan, and I live with Miss Brant.
She----" "Not that horrible, miserly Miss Brant who lives in that ugly yellow house on Elm Street ?" interrupted Grace in a horrified tone.
"Yes, she is the one I mean," continued Mabel.

"She took me from an orphan asylum two years ago.

I hated her the first time I ever saw her, but the matron said I was old enough to work, that I'd have a good home with her and that I should be paid for my work.

She promised to send me to school, and I was wild to get a good education, so I went with her.
But she is perfectly awful, and I wish I were dead." Her voice ended almost in a wail.
"I don't blame you," said Grace sympathetically.

"She has the reputation of being one of the most hateful women in Oakdale.