He is unkind to me, too, but I don't mind that, I don't see him often; but he's always going on at mother, he makes her miserable, and he--he hits her!" staring at Jessie with wide, horrified eyes.

"We were so happy and comfortable before he came, but now everything seems all wrong, and mother is always unhappy, and--and I--I can't bear it." "Don't cry," said Jessie soothingly.

"Did you live here always ?" "Yes, and we had nice lodgers, and a nice house, and we had money enough for what we wanted, but father costs such a lot, and takes nearly all the money mother gets, and he won't give her any of it.
He won't work himself, either.

All the nice lodgers left because he made such rows in the house, and was always quarrelling; there's only one of them left, that's Miss Patch.

She has the attic right at the top of the house.