I never can forget the look in her eyes as I held her hand and said, 'Baby shall be taken care of.' She tried to thank me, and died soon after quite peacefully.

Well, I went today and hunted up the poor little wretch.

Found her in a miserable place, left in the care of an old hag who had shut her up alone to keep her out of the way, and there this mite was, huddled in a corner, crying 'Marmar, marmar!' fit to touch a heart of stone.

I blew up at the woman and took the baby straightaway, for she had been abused.

It was high time.