Instantly the tears gushed forth, and falling upon the baby's face
awoke her. Her nap was not half out, and setting up a loud cry, she
continued screaming until they drove up to the very door of the
poor-house.

"For the land's sake," said Mr. Knight, as he helped Mary from the
wagon, "what a racket; can't you contrive to stop it? you'll have Sal
Furbush in your hair, for she don't like a noise."

Mary glanced nervously round in quest of the goblin Sal, but she saw
nothing save an idiotic face with bushy tangled hair; and nose
flattened against the window pane. In terror Mary clung to Mr. Knight,
and whispered, as she pointed towards the figure, which was now
laughing hideously, "What is it? Are there many such here?"

"Don't be afeard," said Mr. Knight, "that's nobody but foolish Patsy;
she never hurt any body in her life. Come, now, let me show you to the
overseer."

Mary looked towards the woods which skirted the borders of the meadow
opposite, and for half a moment felt inclined to flee thither, and
hide herself in the bushes; but Mr. Knight's hand was upon her
shoulder, and he led her towards a red-whiskered man, who stood in the
door.

"Here, Parker," said he, "I've brought them children I was tellin' you
about. You've room for 'em, I s'pose."

"Why, ye-es, we can work it so's to make room. Guess we shall have
rain to-morrow."