Meg did not answer at first but kept her head turned away from her questioner.
"I know what trouble is," said the woman. "I lost my husband three years ago, and my little girl ten days after him. I didn't think I'd ever get over it; but God helped me through."
"But you've got a father and mother," said Meg, turning dreary eyes towards her. "I've no one."
"To think of that!" ejaculated the woman. "Poor dear! Have you lost them all?"
"Yes," said Meg.
"All dead?"
"No. They are none of them dead. But they are as good as dead to me."
"Have you gone and done something very bad my dear?" asked the woman with concern.
"No. But I've lost them all. And I've not a friend in the world that cares whether I'm dead or alive."
"Come, come," expostulated the woman, "I'm sure you're making a mistake. You're running away from them all I'll be bound. A young lady like you isn't likely to have no friends. Take my word for it your friends are all longing for you to go back to them."