She scarcely waited for the words of the travelers to be spoken,
ere she gruffly answered, "No: we have neither room nor food for
beggars," and closed the door abruptly.
They applied next upon the opposite side, saying to the man who opened
the door, "Can you feed and give shelter to three weary travelers?"
"We have no food to waste, and our home is scarcely large enough for
ourselves," he replied, and quickly shut the door upon them.
The same answer came from all, and they turned to their parent, saying,
"Shall we try any more?"
"There are but two more: try all; see if one at least can be found not
wholly selfish; and, as you are not truly in need of their bounties, you
can well afford to importune and be denied." He then guided his children
to the end of the street.
"This one looks quite gay compared with the others," said the eldest
of the daughters, as they all looked on the well-lit rooms, and beheld
forms flitting to and fro within.
"We shall certainly be admitted here," said the others.
But the parent kept his council, and was invisible while they rapped
at the door, which was opened by a bright and rather stylish-looking
girl, who gazed wonderingly on the group.
"Can you give us shelter for a night, and a little food?" asked the
eldest.
"Not we, indeed: we have just spent all our money for a merry-making
for our brother Jack, who has just come home from sea. Not we:
we have not one bit of room to spare; for all our friends are here.
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