'She died, they tell me, when I was young.' 'Hai mai! Then none can say I have robbed her of any right if--when thou takest the road again and this house is but one of a thousand used for shelter and forgotten, after an easy-flung blessing.

No matter.

I need no blessings, but--but--' She stamped her foot at the poor relation.

'Take up the trays to the house.

What is the good of stale food in the room, O woman of ill-omen ?' 'I ha--have borne a son in my time too, but he died,' whimpered the bowed sister-figure behind the chudder.