"
"When had you pain?"
"This morning my side ached, and my back hurt when you carried me."
"It hurts you to be lifted or moved about?"
"Yes, sir."
"Your side doesn't ache now?"
"No, sir."
"Does it ache a great deal?"
"Yes, sir; but it hasn't ached any since I've been on this soft
bed."
"The soft bed feels good."
"O, yes, sir--so good!" What a satisfaction, mingled with gratitude,
was in her voice!
"Supper is ready," said Mrs. Thompson, looking into the room a
little while afterwards.
Joe glanced from his wife's face to that of Maggie; she understood
him, and answered,--
"She can wait until we are done; then I will bring her somethings to
eat." There was an effort at indifference on the part of Mrs.
Thompson, but her husband had seen her through the window, and
understood that the coldness was assumed. Joe waited, after sitting
down to the table, for his wife to introduce the subject uppermost
in both of their thoughts; but she kept silent on that theme, for
many minutes, and he maintained a like reserve. At last she said,
abruptly,--
"What are you going to do with that child?"
"I thought you understood me that she was to go to the poorhouse,"
replied Joe, as if surprised at her question.
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