“But what makes him so poor, mother?”
“It may be misfortune, my dear; but usually tramps will not work, nor will they stay in one place. They prefer to wander from place to place and beg for food. But come, dinner is ready.”
Just as they were seated at the table, they heard a heavy step on the back porch; and a moment later there came a rap on the kitchen door.
The little girl went to open the door. In a moment, she came running back with a frightened look on her face.
“Quick, mother,” she cried, “here is the tramp at our back door.”
“Don’t be frightened, dear. I’ll go to the door,” said Mrs. Clark.
“Please, ma’am, will you give me a bite to eat? I’m hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat to-day,” begged the tramp, touching his old battered hat.
Mrs. Clark was about to shut the door, but seeing the discouraged look in the tramp’s face, she quickly changed her mind.