` 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 Topsy , with another grin . ` Never had any mother ! What do you mean ? Where were you born ? ' ` Never was born . '
` You must n't answer me like that , child , ' said Miss XXXXX sternly . '
Clare Dunno Ophelia Topsy business day doll missis nobody none