"Yes," said the boy, heavily; "but 't ain't 'nough fer the rent. I
got to figger it out some other way."

Mrs. Wiggs put her arm about his shoulder, and together they looked
out across the dreary commons.

"Don't you worry so, Jimmy," said she. "Mebbe I kin git work
to-morrow, or you'll git a raise, or somethin'; they'll be some
way."

Little she guessed what the way was to be.



CHAPTER II

WAYS AND MEANS

"Ah! well may the children weep before you!
They are weary ere they run;

They have never seen the sunshine, nor the glory
Which is brighter than the Sun."

THE cold wave that was ushered in that December morning was the
beginning of a long series of days that vied with each other as to
which could induce the mercury to drop the lowest. The descent of
the temperature seemed to have a like effect on the barrel of
potatoes and the load of coal in the Wiggses' parlor.