“I never was on shore before in my life.”
“Do you know that you are a destitute orphan?”
“What’s that?”
“That you have no father or mother,” said the little girl.
“Well,” replied I, in my father’s words, having no answer more appropriate, “it’s no use crying; what’s done can’t be helped.”
“But what do you intend to do now?” inquired the proprietor, looking hard at me after my previous answer.
“Don’t know, I’m sure. Take, it coolly,” replied I, whimpering.
“What a very odd child!” observed the lady. “Is he aware of the extent of his misfortune?”
“Better luck next time, missus,” repled I, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.
“What strange answers from a child who has shown so much feeling,” observed the proprietor to his wife. “What is your name.”