"Why—why the Mulvaneys!" exclaimed Sally. "Why can't they move out here and go to school?"
"Who are the Mulvaneys?" asked Cornelia Mary.
"Well, they're the Mulvaneys," Sally insisted, "and—"
"Can it be," interrupted Mrs. Brown, "that Sally has never mentioned them to you?"
"Never," replied Cornelia Mary. "Do tell me about them."
"You, mamma, you will tell it so much better than I could."
"It is a dismal story," began Mrs. Brown, "and one I would gladly have forgotten."
"Why Mamma Brown!"
"Don't misunderstand me, Sally; I shall never forget Mrs. Mulvaney's kindness, but as I have said a dozen times, we cannot help the family and there is no use in continually dwelling upon their misery."
"Only I can't help hoping," murmured Sally. "Go on, mamma."