She went herself and talked with him; but, when she came back, instead of searching the closets for old garments, as Dotty had expected, she seated herself at her sewing, and did not offer to bestow a single copper on the beggar.
"Susy," said she, "he says he is hungry, and I cannot turn him away without food.

You may spread some bread and butter, with ham between the slices, and carry out to him." "What makes her so cruel ?" whispered Dotty.
"O, Grandma knows best," replied Prudy.

"She never is cruel." "What makes you put on so much butter ?" said Jennie Vance; "I wouldn't give him a single thing but cold beans." Dotty, whose Sunday school lesson was all the while ringing in her ears, looked at the judge's daughter severely.
"Would you pour cold beans into anybody's hands, Jennie Vance?
Once my mamma gave some preserves to a beggar,--quince preserves,--she did." Jennie only tossed her head.
"I'm going to give him some money," continued Dotty, defiantly; "just as cheerfully as ever I can." "O, yes, because he called you the handsomest." "No, Jennie Vance; because _I_ am not stingy." "Um isn't stinchy," echoed Katie.
"I've got some Christmas money here.

I earned it by picking pins off the floor, six for a cent.

It took a great while, Jennie, but _I_ wouldn't be selfish, like _some_ little girls." "Now, little sister," said Prudy, taking Dotty one side, "don't give your money to this man.