your business--the likes of you ought to be arrested."

A man in shirt sleeves appeared behind her, and at him
the old woman grinned even more humbly.

"Let me sit here for a while and play with the little
dog, sir," said she; "sure the roads do be lonesome--"

The man stalked close and grabbed the dog by the
scruff of the neck. It hung between his finger and thumb
with its tail tucked between its legs and its eyes screwed
round on one side in amazement.

"Be off with you out of that, you old strap!" said the
man in a terrible voice.

So the old woman rose painfully to her feet again, and
as she went hobbling along the dusty road she began to
cry.

The Philosopher also arose; he was very indignant but
did not know what to do. A singular lassitude also pre-
vented him from interfering. As they paced along his
companion began mumbling, more to herself than to
him-

"Ah, God be with me," said she, "an old woman on a
stick, that hasn't a place in the wide world to go to or a
neighbour itself.... I wish I could get a cup of tea, so
I do. I wish to God I could get a cup of tea.... Me