n. But
when she came to the wiping part, and tried in vain to find a clean
corner' on the long towel, which hung upon a roller, she felt that she
was indeed a pauper.

"I should think we might have a decent towel," thought she. "Mother
used to say it cost nothing to be clean;" then looking round to be
sure that no one saw her, she caught up the skirt of her dress and
drying her face with it, went back to the kitchen.

She would greatly have preferred a seat by a pleasant looking old lady
who looked kindly on her, but Mrs. Grundy bade her sit down by her and
help herself. She did not exactly fancy the looks of the thick fried
pork, swimming in grease, so she took a potato and a slice of bread,
to get which she reached so far that the lower hook on her dress which
for a day or two had been uncertain whether to come off or stay on,
now decided the matter by dropping on the floor. As she was proceeding
with her breakfast, Uncle Peter suddenly dropping his knife and fork,
exclaimed, "Little daughter's teeth are awry, ain't they?"

Mary had hoped that at the poor-house her mouth would not be a subject
of comment, but she was disappointed, and bursting into tears would
have risen from the table, had not the kind looking woman said, "Shame
on you, Peter, to plague a little girl."

Uncle Peter, too, who was fond of children, seemed distressed, and
passing towards her the bowl of milk which was standing by him, he
said, "Drink it, daughter;--milk for babes, and meat for strong men."

There was so much of real kindness in his manner that Mary's fear of
him diminished, and taking the offered milk she thanked him so kindly
that Uncle Peter, who was quite an orator, considered it his duty to
make a speech. Pushing back his chair, he commenced with a bow which
required do many changes of his legs that Mary wondered they were not
entirely twisted up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, one and all," said he, "but particularly
ladies, what I have to say is this, that henceforth and for ever I am
the champion of this unprotected female, who from parts unknown has
come among us.--God bless her. I will also announce formally that I
still hold myself in readiness to teach the polite accomplishment of
dancing in my room, No. 41, Pauper's Hotel."

Having finished this speech he resumed his breakfast, after which with
another of his wonderful bows he quitted the room. Mary was about
following his example when Mrs. Grundy said. "Come, catch hold no