"And what do you want?"
"I want to sell eight quarts of strawberries, ma'am. They are five cents a quart; that's what they are giving down to The Forge."
"Then why don't you take them to The Forge?"
"The heat, ma'am, will wilt them. They are right fresh now—I thought I'd give you-all the first chance."
"And you want money for the berries—and you in rags and starved, I warrant?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Ann Walden grew more interested.
"Would you—take eggs for them?" she asked; "eggs are bringing twenty cents a dozen now."
"Yes, ma'am."
"How do I know you are honest? How do I know the basket isn't stuffed with leaves in the bottom? What's your name?"