"Yes," answered Jed soberly.
"But how did it happen? Did your parents lose their property?"
"I know nothing of them, Mr. Roper. I was only two years of age when I was placed in the poorhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Avery were in charge. They were kind people and took good care of me."
"Did they never tell you the circumstances of your being placed in the institution?"
"No; but Mrs. Avery always promised that she would tell me all she knew on my sixteenth birthday."
"Are you not sixteen yet?"
"Yes; but when I reached that age Mr. and Mrs. Fogson were in charge of the poorhouse. Mr. and Mrs. Avery were removed by the father of this Percy Dixon who has written to you."
"What sort of people are they?"
"Mean, selfish and unkind to the poor people who are unfortunate enough to be under their charge. Mr. Fogson tried to tyrannize over me, and I rebelled."