Sometimes we had food cooked for us, and sometimes we did not.

I remember that more than once a can of tomatoes and some crackers constituted a meal.

Our clothing went uncared for, and everything about our home was soon in a tumble-down condition.

It seems to me that this was the most dismal period of my life.
My good friend, Mrs.Ruffner, to whom I have already referred, always made me welcome at her home, and assisted me in many ways during this trying period.

Before the end of the vacation she gave me some work, and this, together with work in a coal-mine at some distance from my home, enabled me to earn a little money.
At one time it looked as if I would have to give up the idea of returning to Hampton, but my heart was so set on returning that I determined not to give up going back without a struggle.