"Sure, sure, indeed yez must be hungry," Abner replied, as he turned quickly around. "Rats are allus hungry, but yez must git some of that scum off ye'r faces an' hands before yez eat in this house. Come over here to the sink."
After a vigorous application of soap and water, the waifs presented a more respectable appearance, and Abner stepped back and viewed them critically.
"There," he panted, "guess that'll do fer the present. But yez sartinly need a hoe an' a scrabbin-brush upon ye'r mugs. An' say, what's ye'r names?"
"Mine's Tom," the older boy replied, "an' his is Billy."
"Tom an' Billy, eh? But Tom an' Billy what? What's ye'r other names?"
"Ain't got any. Jist Tom an' Billy."
"Jith Tom an' Billy," came the echo.
"Yes, I know that. But what's ye'r mother's name?"
"Sue."
"Thue."