How will you?" said Elizabeth.

"I'll make mammy give me some," said the girl flourishing her
clasped fist.

"Wouldn't you like to leave picking things out of the street,
and go to live with somebody who would take care of you and
teach you to be a good girl?" said Elizabeth.

Clam tossed her sixpence up and down in her hand, and finally
brought her eyes to bear upon Elizabeth and said,

"I don't want nobody to take care of me."

"If she could be taught, and would, I'd take care of her
afterwards," said Elizabeth to Winthrop.

"If _he'd_ say so, I would," said Clam.

"Look here," said Winthrop. "Would you like to come into some
kind house -- if I can find you one -- and learn to do clean
work?"

"It don't make no odds," said Clam looking at her basket.

"What do you say?"

"I guess no one don't want me."

"Perhaps not; but if somebody would have you, would you be a
good girl?"

"I s'pose I'd get dinner reglar," said the little black girl,
still fingering the edge of her basket.

"Certainly! --and something better than figs."

"Be them figs?" said Clam, suddenly looking up at him.

"Yes -- the sweet ones."

"Goody! -- I didn't know that before."

"Well -- you haven't answered me yet."

"I don't care much," -- said Clam. "Is it your house?"

"Maybe."

"I'll come!" said she clapping her hands. "I'll clear out, and
mother won't never give it to me no more. -- Nor nobody else
sha'n't?" said she looking up at Winthrop.

"If you behave yourself."

"I'll go now right off!" said Clam, jumping up in great
spirits. Then with a changing and doubtful tone she added,
looking to Winthrop, "Will you take me?"

"Yes," he said smiling, "but not this evening. You must go
home now, when the storm is over, for to-night; and I'll come
and see your mother about it."

"What for?" was the very earnest and prompt answer.

"If you agree to come, I must get her to bind you out."

"I aint goin' to be bound," said Clam shaking her head; -- "if
you bind me, I'll run."

"Run as fast as you please," said Winthrop; -- "run whenever
you want to; -- but I can't take you unless you be bound, for I
won't have your mother coming after you."

"Can't she do nothin' to me if I'm bound?" said Clam.

"Nothing at all, till you grow up to be a woman; and then you
can take care of yourself."

"I'll take care of myself all along," said Clam. "Nobody else
aint a goin' to."

"But somebody must give you clothes to wear, and a