Mrs. Clare was a poor widow lady who supported herself by sewing. Rose was her only child and did what she could to help her mother. Sewing did not pay well, and the Clares had all they could do to make both ends meet.
But Mrs. Clare had a warm heart and so had Rose, and it pained them greatly to see Randy so mistreated. They carried him into their one room and placed him on their bed and did what they could for him.
At last he opened his eyes and stared around him. Then he sat up slowly.
"Where am I?" he asked, faintly.
"We brought you into the house—mother and I," answered Rose. "Don't you remember, Bill Hosker struck you down?"
"Oh, yes; I remember that now." Randy took a deep breath and put his hand to his head. "He hit me pretty hard, didn't he?"
"I am afraid he did," answered Mrs. Clare. "It was a shame, too."
"Where is he now?"
"He ran away."
"He stole eighty cents from me."