Heandhismotherandthebaby，asicklyinfantofaboutfivemonthsold，livedinacellardownaturningoffThreeColtStreet。Iamnotquitesurewhathadbecomeofthefather。Iratherthinkhehadbeen\"converted，\"andhadgoneoffroundthecountryonapreachingtour。Theladearnedsixshillingsaweekasanerrand—boy；andthemotherstitchedtrousers，andondayswhenshewasfeelingstrongandenergeticwouldoftenmakeasmuchastenpence，orevenashilling。Unfortunately，thereweredayswhenthefourbarewallswouldchaseeachotherroundandround，andthecandleseemafaintspeckoflight，averylongwayoff；andthefrequencyofthesecausedthefamilyincomefortheweektooccasionallyfallsomewhatlow。
Onenightthewallsdancedroundquickerandquickertilltheydancedawayaltogether，andthecandleshotupthroughtheceilingandbecameastarandthewomanknewthatitwastimetoputawayhersewing。
\"Jim，\"shesaid：shespokeverylow，andtheboyhadtobendoverhertohear，\"ifyoupokeaboutinthemiddleofthemattressyou’llfindacoupleofpounds。Isavedthemupalongwhileago。Thatwillpayforburyingme。And，Jim，you’lltakecareofthekid。
Youwon’tletitgototheparish。\"
Jimpromised。