"MIS' THOMAS, Ann McFinney's downstairs to see you about that sewing you
said she could do for you," said Hannah, putting her head in at the
door. Mamma was sitting close to the bed playing a game of Old Maid with
Teddy.

"Very well, Hannah; tell her I'll be there in a moment," she said.

"Oh, please don't go yet," said Teddy. "It's my draw. Match! You're
the old maid. Oh, Mamma! You're an old maid!" And he pointed his finger
at her and laughed.

"Why, so I am," said mamma. "Now you can shuffle the cards, and when I
come back we'll have another game."

"Don't stay long," begged Teddy.

"I'll come back as soon as I can," said mamma, and then she went out.

Teddy lay propped up on the pillow and shuffled and shuffled the cards,
and wished his mother would hurry. He did not like Ann McFinney, for
when she came she always cried, and wiped her eyes on the corner of her
apron, and told how her husband was out of work, and the children needed
shoes.

Now it was some time before mamma came back, and when she did she had
her bonnet on. "Darling," she said, "I have to go out for a while. Mrs.
McFinney's baby's sick, and I've promised the poor thing to come over
and see it. I won't be gone long, and when I come back I'll bring you a
sheet of paper soldiers to cut out."