“I couldn’t sell any matches, so she didn’t give me anything to eat. She said I didn’t earn my salt.”
“Who is she?”
“The woman where I live,” answered the child.
“Is she your relative?” asked Mrs. Winton.
“I don’t know,” answered the child.
“Hannah,” said Mrs. Winton, “bring me a bowl of bread and milk. It is as I suspected; the child is half starved.”
Posy came around to Mamma’s side, and leaned against her in what Hannah called “Posy’s coaxing way.”
“Don’t send her back to that horrid woman, will you, Mamma?” she whispered.
“I will look after her, my darling, you may be sure,” said Mamma.
“But you will let her stay, won’t you, Mamma?” repeated Posy.