A GYPSY AGAINST HER WILL.
[CHAPTER I.]
LIZZIE'S HOME.
"NO, I won't put up with it; there are plenty of places for a girl now-a-days, and I don't see why I should be expected to bear with people's tempers and never speak up for myself."
"Now, Lizzie, be reasonable. Perhaps there are more places to be had, but a girl never does any good for herself who is always changing." And as she spoke, Mrs. Betts took another hot iron down from the fire, and recommenced smoothing out the shirt that was spread on the board before her.
"But, Mother, why should I have to put up with people's crossness?" demanded the girl in an imperative tone.
"We all have something to put up with, Lizzie. Do you think it's pleasant for me to have to take in washing, just to make ends meet, because your father's work is so bad just now?"
The girl cast her eyes carelessly upon the fine white shirt her mother was ironing.
"I shouldn't mind doing that," she said; then all in a minute she started up alert and eager. "Oh! Mother, that's just the very thing; why shouldn't I come home and help you with the washing and ironing?" she exclaimed.
"Because I couldn't afford it, my girl," said her mother quietly.