"Alice!" Mr. Appleton snarled when his wife didn't move.

Still the girl did not stir though a slight tremble went through her hand. She did not let go of Nat however, but clung to her hand with yet more determinacy.

"Suit yourself, then, but don't expect owt from me anymore," he hissed, and with one angry glance in Nat's direction as if his wife's willfulness was her fault, Mr. Appleton marched back upstairs and a door shut rather too loud. Once again there was an infant's cry, but it was but short.

As soon as her husband was gone, Mrs. Appleton's lip trembled and she dissolved to tears. She let go of Nat's hand to bring her own hands up to her face.