“Ye don’t tell me! And ye’ve never been back at the squad again?”
“Never back. I was times workin’ at the rag-pickin’ and times gatherin’ coal from the free coup.”
“That’s what Mary Martin done,” Norah exclaimed. “She was a woman known to me.”
“And ye kent old Mary!” said Ellen. “Me and her have worked together for many’s a day, makin’ a shillin’ a day each at the job.”
The woman paused.
“Are ye feelin’ a wee better, Norah?” she asked presently.
“I’m fine, Ellen,” was the answer. “I could get up and run about and I’m not in the least sleepy. What were the corner boys wantin’ to do?”
“They wanted siller——”
“My purse, Ellen! Have they taken it from me?” Norah searched nervously in the pockets of her dress.
“I’m afeared that they have.”