"I'd like to take Freddie myself," Mrs. Davis began again, "but with my five, an' John out o' work half the time, another mouth to feed an another pair o' feet to cover would mean a whole lot. Though I do think that ef I was dead an' my childern was sent to that miserable orphans' home, I'd turn over in my grave."
"It's a pity we don't know some good family that 'ain't got no childern that 'ud take him an' bring him up as their own son," said a little woman who took The Hearthside.
"Sich people ain't growin' on trees no place about Dexter," Mrs. Warren sniffed.
"Well, I'm sure I've read of sich things. Ef the child was in a book it'ud happen to him, but he ain't. He's a flesh and blood youngster an' a-livin' in Dexter."
"You couldn't give us no idee what to do, could you, Mis' Austin?"
"Lord love you, Mis' Davis, I've jest been a-settin' here purty nigh a-thinkin' my head off, but I ain't seen a gleam of light yit. You know how I feel an' jest how glad I'd be to do something, but then my man growls about the three we've got."
"That's jest the way with my man," said
