Part 11 (1/2)
”I can't help that Go away”
”I haven't had anything to eat for a whole day--a whole day!” repeated the child
Her lip quivered But she spoke distinctly Her voice sounded through the rooentleman after another laid down his paper or his pipe
Several atching this little scene
”Go away!” repeated the youngto eat for three days!”
His face went down into his ar hair She stood perfectly still for soreatly puzzled She walked away a little distance, then stopped and thought it over
And now paper after paper and pipe after cigar went down Every gentle raced, and hidden face was not stiller than the rest
The little figure in the pink calico and the red shawl and big rubbers stood for atheentlemen motioned him away
Mary Elizabeth turned her five-cent piece over and over in her purple hand Her hand shook The tears carew savoury and strong The child put the piece of money to her lips as if she could have eaten it, then turned and, without further hesitation, went back
She touched the younglittle hand
The roo out to the corridor, where the waiters stood, with the clerk behind looking over the desk to see
”I' for three days, you ave it one one day You can get soet some somewheres! I wish you'd please to take it!”
Mary Elizabeth stood quite still, holding out her five-cent piece She did not understand the stir that went all over the bright roohed and wiped their spectacles
She did not knohy the brown curls before her ca man's wasted face flushed red and hot with a noble sha the five-cent piece upon the table, and, snatching her in his arms, held her fast and hid his face on her plaid shawl and sobbed Nor did she seem to knohat could be the reason that nobody seeentleiven her the athered around, and she in theht have been so beautiful stood up, still clinging to her, and said aloud:
”She's shamed me before you all, and she's shaar, so help me God!”
So then he took the child upon his knee, and the gentle man asked her what her name was
”Mary Elizabeth, sir”
”Nas--in the Bible--when I was as little as you I read the Bible then Does Mary Elizabeth el of rebuke?”
”Sir?”
”Where do you live, Mary Elizabeth?”
”Nowhere, sir”
”Where do you sleep?”
”In Mrs O'Flynn's shed, sir It's too cold for the cows She's so kind, she lets us stay”