"I guess I haven't done much else. Father died when I was twelve
and the oldest of five, the next only eight--Polly, that came between
Eb and me, died--naturally I had to work. I was a nurse-girl by
the day, first; and I never shall forget how kind the woman was to me.
She gave me so much dinner I never needed to eat any breakfast,
which was a help."

"You poor little thing! I'm afraid you went hungry sometimes."
Immediately he marvelled at his familiar speech, but she did
not seem to resent it.

"No, not so often," she said, musingly; "but I used often and often
to wish I could carry some of the nice things home to mother
and the babies. After a while she would give me a cookey or a
piece of bread and butter for lunch; that I could take home.
I don't suppose I'll often have more pleasure than I used to have then,
seeing little Eb waiting for sister; and the baby and mother ----"
She stopped abruptly, to continue, in an instant, with a kind of laugh;
"I am never likely to feel so important again as I did then, either.
It was great to have mother consulting me, as if I had been grown up.
I felt like I had the weight of the nation on my shoulders,
I assure you."

"And have you always worked since? You are not working out now?"
with a glance at her shining gown.

"Oh, no, not for a long time. I learned to be a cook.
I was a good cook, too, if I say it myself. I worked
for the Lossings for four years. I am not a bit ashamed