Mrs. V. B. Will you tell me your name?
Ruth. Ruth Tredgett. I come from Cambridge.
Dr. A. Born there?
Ruth. I dunno as I was born there, but I come from there.
Dr. A. What are you?
Ruth. I s’pose I’m a thief. I s’pose I’m what gentlefolk thinks is wus than a thief. God help me! I s’pose I’m as bad as I can be. (Weeping.)
Mrs. V. B. Are your parents alive?
Ruth. No, I never had no father—my mother was such as me. See here, lady. Wot’s to become of a gal whose mother was such as me? Mother! Why, I could swear afore I could walk!
Dr. A. But were you not brought up to any calling?