taken it. You could have sold it for a few kopeks.

"I couldn't," said Michael.

"All right," said Martha. "This is another matter; these children.
You heard what I said. Now here is what I plan. We will go to Lodz
and there we will stay for the next year or two. This war cannot last
forever, and when it is well past, why, then we will strike out in the
world. I know little girls. These will both be beauties when they are
a few years older." She laughed as she dragged Elinor along. "I tell
you I did well when I picked up these pearls."

"No doubt; no doubt!" Michael answered. He could not but look with
pity on the two children however. He was a man whose whole life had
been evil, but somewhere in him was a spark of kindness and
tenderness. He fought, he drank, he stole, he lied; but the sight of
the two poor little girls dragging miserably along with the remorseless
woman somehow touched his heart. He knew that he would often beat
them, and he would also give them their first lessons in picking
pockets; but he knew, too, that there would be times when he would
shield them from the cold, relentless fury of the woman.

So it was with a feeling of pity for the weary little feet that he
asked, "Where do we go tonight? I am tired."

"Tired?" scorned Martha. "You are ever tired! However, we will eat
some supper, and then on to Lodz."

"Walk?" asked the other man, who had not spoken before.