his lack of training and to the fact that everything in his mother's house
was so new and different from what he had been used to in the poorhouse.

"Go and wash yourself and get ready for supper," he heard his mother say;
but he had not been taught that this was necessary, and because he did not
understand and so failed to obey, he was scolded and abused.

"You worthless thing!" his mother said. "I'm sorry I didn't leave you at
the poorhouse now and let you grow up with the cattle if you don't know
enough to wash before you eat."

When supper was ready, she ordered Edwin to get around behind the table in
a corner where he would be the farthest from her, and added, "Any place in
my home is too good for the like of you, and you shall stand while you eat.
Do you hear?"

Evidently Edwin understood this command, for he had been used to eating his
meals under just such trying circumstances, and he went at once to the
place assigned him. The good food upon the table was very tempting, and
when he had eaten all that was on his plate, he watched the other children
to see what they would do when more was wanted, and when he saw them
passing plates, he did the same.

He did not repeat this, however, for he found that he was not expected to
share with the rest or to eat until his hunger was satisfied. Without a
murmur he did without the dainties that were given freely to the other
children, and with a dry crust he finished his meal in silence.

When bedtime came, Edwin was given a place to sleep in an unused part of
the house, and there alone in the darkness he could repeat the words that