“Huh?”
Maggie Plornish had suddenly become very dull indeed!
“Doesn’t your father work regularly?” explained Laura, kindly. “Hasn’t he any particular work?”
Maggie considered this thoughtfully. Then she shook her head and with gravity replied: “I guess he’s an outa.”
“A what?” gasped Jess.
“An outa, Miss.”
“What under the sun’s an ‘outa’?” demanded Jess, looking at Laura.
But Mother Wit understood and smiled. “You mean he’s ’most always out of work?” she asked.
Maggie Plornish nodded vigorously.
“Yes, ma’am! He’s us’lly outa work. Most reg’larly. Yes, ma’am!”