“Why, how?” Marty asked. “Can't she go back home then?”
“No,” Miss Walsh answered. “She has to live on in the father-in-law's house, where she is treated shamefully, made to do hard work, is half starved, and not allowed clothes enough to keep her comfortable. She is not taken care of when sick, and is treated worse in every way than you have any idea of or ever can have.”
“It's perfectly dreadful!” declared one of the girls.
“Didn't they use to burn the widows on their husbands' funeral pile?” asked another.
“Yes, but the British Government put a stop to that.”
“I believe I'd rather be burnt up and done with it than have to lead such a miserable life,” said Mary Cresswell.
“Oh, no, it would be dreadful to be burnt,” said Rosa.
“Seems to me it's dreadful all around,” said Marty, sighing.
“You may be thankful you don't have to make the choice,” said Miss Walsh.
“Then the poor children are not even made comfortable when they go to school,” Rosa went on, “so dirty and forlorn!”