WhenthecircuscametotownandLizziesawthetiger,theywerelivingonFerryStreet,inaverypoorway.Itwasthetimeofthegreatestparsimonyintheirfathershouse;everyoneknowsthefirsthuhousandisthemostdifficultandthedollarbillswerebreedingslowly,slowly,evenifhepractisedalittletouchofusuryonthesidetoprickhiscashinthedireofgreaterproductivity.Inaeime,theWarbetweeeswouldproviderichpigsforthecoffin-makers,but,backthen,batheFifties,well--ifhehadbeenaprayingman,hewouldhavegonedownonhiskneesforalittleoutbreakofsummercholeraoratouch,justatouch,oftyphoid.Tohischagrin,therehadbeennobodytobillwhenhehadburiedhiswife.

    For,atthattime,thegirlswerejustfreshlyorphaned.Emmawasthirteen,Lizziefour--sternandsquare,asquatregleofachild.EmmapartedLizzieshairinthemiddle,stretcheditbackovereachsideingforeheadandbraidedittight.Emmadressedher,undressedher,scrubbedhernightandmflannel,andhumpedthegreatlumpoflittlegirlaroundinherarmswheneverLizziewouldlether,althoughLizziewasnotademonstrativechildanddidnotshowaffeeasily,excepttotheheadofthehouse,andthenonlywheedsomething.Sheknewwherethepowerwasand,intuitivelyfeminineinspiteruffappearance,sheknewhowtocourtit.

    ThatcottageonFerry--verywell,itwasaslum;buttheuakerlivedonunedamoifffurnishingsofhisdefunctmarriage.Hisbitsandpieceswouldbeadmiredtodayiftheyturnedupfreshlybeeswaxedinanantiquestore,butinthosedaystheywereplainold-fashioned,andtimewouldonlymakethemmoresointhatdrearyinterior,thetinyhousehenevermended,erodingclapboardanddiseasedpaint,mildewonthedarkaperwitha