It was evidently useless to try to get anything more out of the child on that tack. But Laura was sure that there could not be two Plornish families in Centerport, and if Jess had seen the stage director in Lily Pendleton's sleigh, it was plain that Maggie had seen him, too. And she had recognized him.
"Where do you live, little girl?" asked Laura, quietly, as she saw Jess returning with a fresh bottle of milk.
"Over 'ere on Governor Street. Number ninety-three, Miss."
"Lead the way, then," said Laura, promptly. "We'll help you carry your things home and explain to mamma how you came to get them scattered. You surely have a mamma, haven't you?"
"Yes, ma'am. And there's a new baby. That's who the milk's for."
"Say! how many of you Plornish children are there?" asked Jess, to whom Laura had immediately whispered the intelligence that this child was evidently one of Mr. Pizotti's progeny.
"Seven, ma'am. But some's older'n me and they're workin'."
"Don't you go to school?" asked Laura.
"I can't—not right now. We ain't got good
