"A home where?" asked Josie.
"Up in his garret. Top of a house, down a back street nigh to here," said Ailie.
"Up in a garret! How very dreadful," said Josie. "Why doesn't your grandfather get more work?"
"He can't. He's tried. An' he says we'll have to go to the work'us."
"Why, that's just what you were afraid of last time," said Josie, dubiously. "And yet you have never been. Where's your mother?"
"I dunno," said Ailie, gulping down a sob.
"How do you mean,—don't know?"
"She's never come. They set her loose out o' jail, an' she set off for to come back, an' she never come. Nobody don't know where she is."
"I wonder if you are really telling me the truth now," said Josie thoughtfully. "I do wish Leveson were here, for he would be sure to know, and I am sure I don't."
