"
"Then we're blue, now truly," added Flyaway by way of finish.
"What would you do, children, if you were driven about, as I used to
be, from post to pillar, with no mother to care for you?"
"If I hadn't no mamma, I could go barefoot, like a dog," said Flyaway,
brightening with the new idea; "I could paddle in the water too, and
eat pepnits."
"O, child! But what if you had neither father nor mother?"
"Then," said Flyaway coolly, "I should go to some house where there
_was_ a father'n mother."
"Why, you little heartless thing! But that is always the way with
children; their parents set their lives by them, but not a 'thank you'
do they get for their love! Try a pinch," continued she, offering her
snuff-box to the little folks, who both declined. This Polly thought
was strange. They must like snuff if they followed the natural bent of
their noses.
"Yes, Katie, as I was saying, you little know how your mother loves
you."
"Yes um, I do. She loves me more 'n the river, and the sky, and the
bridge. My papa loves me too, only but he don't _say_ nuffin' 'bout
it.
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