"Boo, hoo, hoo!" cried Ann, unable to speak on account of the torrents of wo that overwhelmed her.
"Don't cry, little girl, and tell me what the matter is," continued the kind lady.
"Boo, hoo, hoo! I fell down and broke all my candy," sobbed Ann.
"Poor child!" exclaimed the sympathizing lady.
"My father'll beat me because I didn't sell it," added Ann.
"He is a cruel man. Are you sure he will punish you?"
"Yes, ma'am," groaned Ann. "He'll whip me almost to death if I don't bring home half a dollar."
"You can tell him you fell down and broke the candy," suggested the lady.
"He won't believe me; he'll say I sold the candy and spent the money. O, dear me."
"You can show him the pieces."