It was discovered that she had been tempted by other girls to go and see the Lord Mayor's show.

Annie and Tom threatened to be troublesome when they got a little older; the boy could not be taught to speak the truth, and his sister was constantly committing petty thefts of jam, sugar, even coppers; and during the past year their mother was seldom able to exert herself in correcting these faults.
Only by dint of struggle which cost her agonies could she discharge the simplest duties of home.

She made a brave fight against disease and penury and incessant dread of the coming day, but month after month her strength failed.

Now at length she tried vainly to leave her bed.

The last reserve of energy was exhausted, and the end near.
After her death, what then?
Through the nights of this week after her doom had been spoken she lay questioning the future.