It was dreadful not to have a home.

I was so unused to being in the street alone, that I felt frightened when I reached the cars and stopped them.
I was going to Sister Madeline.

She would take me, and keep me, and teach me where to live, and how.

I was a little confused, and got out at the wrong street, and had to walk several blocks before I reached the house.
The servant at the door met me with an answer that made me wonder whether there were anything else to happen to me on that day.
Sister Madeline had been called away--had gone on a long journey--something about the illness of her brother; and I must not come inside the door, for a contagious disease was raging, and the orders were strict that no one be admitted.

I had walked so fast, and in such excitement of feeling, that I was weak and faint when I turned to go down the steps.