Publisher's Synopsis
Book Excerpt: ny fuel, he having the responsibilityof furnishing that article, and she in return mend-ing or making garments."How much you earn dis week, Mag?" askedhe one Saturday evening."Little enough, Jim. Two or three days with-out any dinner. I washed for the Reeds, and dida small job for Mrs. Bellmont; that's all. I shallstarve soon, unless I can get more to do. Folksseem as afraid to come here as if they expectedto get some awful disease. I don't believe thereis a person in the world but would be glad tohave me dead and out of the way.""No, no, Mag! don't talk so. You shan'tstarve so long as I have barrels to hoop. PeterGreene boards me cheap. I'll help you, if nobodyelse will."A tear stood in Mag's faded eye. "I'm glad,"she said, with a softer tone than before, "if thereis ONE who isn't glad to see me suffer. I b'lieveall Singleton wants to see me punished, and feelas if they could tell when I've been punishedlong enough. It's a long day ahead they'll setit, I reckon."
