'Oh! never mind, my boy, keep the money and the ballads too.'
'O sir! thank you. Mother will be so glad, so glad, sir!' and he turned to go, but his feelings overpowering him, he hid his little face in the big blanket-shawl which he wore, and sobbed louder and harder than before.
'Where does your mother live, my boy?'
'Round in Anthony street, sir; some good folks there give her a room, sir.'
'Did you say she was sick?'
'Yes, sir, very sick; the doctor says she can't live only a little while, sir.'
'And what will become of you, when she is dead?'
'I don't know, sir. Mother says God will take care of me, sir.'
'Come, my little fellow, don't cry any more; I'll go with you and see your mother.'
'Oh! thank you, sir; mother will be so glad to have you—so glad to thank you, sir;' and, looking up timidly an my face, he added: 'You'll love mother, sir!'