midnight
Since we last saw them a sickly baby had been added to their number . With motherly care little Mary each day washed and dressed it , and then hour after hour carried it in her arms , trying to still its feeble moans , which fell so sadly on the ear of her invalid mother . It was a small , low building which they inhabited , containing but one room and a bedroom , which last they had ceased to occupy , for one by one each article of furniture had been sold , until at last Mrs. Howard lay upon a rude lounge , which Frank had made from some rough boards . Until midnight the little fellow toiled , and then when his work was done crept softly to the cupboard , there lay one slice of bread , the only article of food which the house contained . Long and wistfully he looked at it , thinking how good it would taste ; but a glance at the pale faces near decided him . `` They need it more than I , '' said he , and turning resolutely away , he prayed that he `` might sleep pretty soon and forget how hungry he was . '' Day after day he worked on , and though his cheek occasionally flushed with anger when of his ragged clothes and naked feet the village boys made fun , he never returned them any answer , but sometimes when alone the memory of their thoughtless jeers would cause the tears to start , and then wiping them away , he would wonder if it was wicked to be poor and ragged .