"Victuals—no. Livin' on charity means—means—why, it's same thing as being a beggar."
"You ain't a beggar, nor Ailie wasn't, neither."
"She's one now, poor little lass, if I ain't much mistaken," said Hor. "'Tain't likely she'll get much to eat by any other means, except a-begging, wherever she be."
"Is mother a beggar?" asked Lettie.
"Mother! No!" cried Hor. "What's put into your head to ask such a question?"
"Nor father, neither?" inquired Lettie.
"No, nor none of us, nor never will be, so long as father 'n I have an arm to work."
"Nor isn't I a beggar?" asked Lettie, reaching the climax towards which she had been ascending.
"No more than the rest on us," said Hor.
Lettie nestled up a little closer to Hor's ragged jacket. "Hor," she whispered softly, "didn't ye hear what father said yesterday—?"