“He’s well, thank you,” returned the mother. “He’s out working to-day.”
“Then he has found employment?”
“Yes, sir,” said Mrs. Gerhardt, who hesitated, like Jennie, to say what it was.
“The children are all well now, and in school, I hope?”
“Yes,” replied Mrs. Gerhardt. She had now unfastened her apron, and was nervously turning it in her lap.
“That’s good, and where is Jennie?”
The latter, who had been ironing, had abandoned the board and had concealed herself in the bedroom, where she was busy tidying herself in the fear that her mother would not have the forethought to say that she was out, and so let her have a chance for escape.
“She’s here,” returned the mother. “I’ll call her.”
“What did you tell him I was here for?” said Jennie, weakly.
“What could I do?” asked the mother.