"Hush, hush, Patsy! you must not say those awful words," said the girl, laying her hand over his mouth and lifting him onto her knee.
"Yes, I will. And I just wish God would send them to hell-fire!"
"Oh, Patsy, hush!" said the girl. "That's awful. Never, never say such a thing again."
"I will!" cried Patsy, "and I'll ask God to-night, and mother said He would if they didn't leave me alone."
"But, Patsy, you must not say nor think those awful things. Come now and I'll tell you a story."
"I don't want a story," he sobbed. "Sing."
"Oh, I'll tell you a story, Patsy. I'll come into the house to-night and sing for you."
"No, sing," said the little lad imperiously, and so the girl began to sing the thrilling love story of The Frog and The Mouse, till not only was Patsy's pale face wreathed in smiles, but the other children were drawn in an enchanted circle about the singer. So entranced were the children and so interested the singer that they failed to notice the door of the Stopping Place open. A slovenly woman showed a hard face and dishevelled hair for a moment at the door, and then stole quietly away. In a few moments she returned, bringing her husband, a huge man with a shaggy, black head and repulsive face.
"Jist be afther lookin' at that now, will ye, Carroll!" she said.
As the man looked his face changed as the sun breaks through a storm-cloud.