They tumble over the kitchen floor , so that a body ca n't put their foot down without treading on them . What on earth did you want to bring this one for ? ' ` For you to teach , did n't I tell you ? ' ' I do n't want her , I 'm sure . I have more to do with them now than I want . ' ` Well the fact is , cousin , ' said Mr. St. Clare , drawing her aside , ` she belonged to some people who were dreadfully cruel and beat her . I could n't bear to hear her screaming every day , so I bought her . I will give her to you . Do try and make something of her . ' ` Well , I 'll do what I can , ' said Miss Ophelia . ` She is fearfully dirty , and half naked . ' ` Well , take her downstairs , and tell somebody to clean her up , and give her some decent clothes . ' Getting Topsy clean was a very long business . But at last it was done . Then , sitting down before her , Miss Ophelia began to question her . ` How old are you , Topsy ? ' ` Dunno , missis , ' said she , grinning like an ugly little black doll . ` Do n't know how old you are ! Did nobody ever tell you ? Who was your mother ? '
` Never had none , ' said XXXXX , with another grin .
Clare Dunno Mr. Ophelia Topsy day downstairs missis nobody somebody