So she took down a tumbler from a shelf, and after giving Alice and Susy some water she went into her mother’s room.
While she was gone Alice and Susy looked at each other for a few minutes in silence, then Alice spoke.
“Susy,” she said, “we must do something at once; it is too dreadful to think of.”
When Sarah came back Susy said to her:
“Cannot the neighbors do anything for you?”
“We have not any near neighbors,” said Sarah; “and besides they do not know anything about us. Mother and I only moved here a little while ago, and we don’t like people to know of our troubles.”
“Well,” said Alice, “there is one thing very certain, you must go home with me and get a basket of provisions. After you have had something to eat we can decide what to do.”
“Oh, thank you so much,” said Sarah, gratefully; “but—but—”
“But what?”
“I don’t see how I can leave mother alone. She has to be looked after all the time, and yet, oh, I should be so glad to see her eat a good meal.”