Then, sitting down before her, Miss Ophelia began to question her.

'How old are you, Topsy?'

'Dunno, missis,' said she, grinning like an ugly little black doll.

'Don't know how old you are! Did nobody ever tell you? Who was your
mother?'

'Never had none,' said Topsy, with another grin.

'Never had any mother! What do you mean? Where were you born?'

'Never was born.'

'You mustn't answer me like that, child,' said Miss Ophelia sternly. 'I
am not playing with you. Tell me where you were born, and who your
father and mother were.'

'Never was born,' said Topsy again very decidedly. 'Never had no father,
nor mother, nor nothin!'

Miss Ophelia hardly knew what to make of her. 'How long have you lived
with your master and mistress, then?' she asked.

'Dunno, missis.'

'Is it a year, or more, or less?'

'Dunno, missis.'