"I suppose you are in affliction," she said, gazing sympathetically into the woman's face. "I'm so sorry for you. Do tell me which are your little children."
The woman looked at Jill with dull, curious eyes. She indicated her little ones by a backward movement of her thumb.
"And what house are you going to?" asked Jill.
"There be only one 'ouse for the likes o' me," the woman responded bitterly; then she turned her head to watch the approach of a carriage.
Jill enticed one of the small children to come to her. She heard a carriage pass, but did not look up, then she was startled by her name being called, and sprang to her feet.
Mona was calling her, for it was she and Miss Webb who were driving by.
Mona's disgust was great at seeing a party of the lowest class of tramps sitting by the roadside, and her little sister in the midst of them. She spoke very sharply—
"Come here at once, Jill! What do you mean by disgracing yourself and us so?"
Jill turned to the woman politely.
"I'm sorry I have to go," she said. "Good-bye."