The widow’s eyes flashed, and she drew herself up to her full height. She stood there, seething in anger and hurt

F

ischel began to rise from his chair, his hand already sliding to the purse of money lying before him on the desk.

“No, no, Father. I will get the door for you.”

Zissy went quickly to the door and opened it. It was the widow who had accepted Zissy’s old clothes. She pushed past Zissy. She was still carrying some of Zissy’s old clothes.

“Where’s your father? I am absolutely freezing in my home. I have no firewood! He said he would help me out, but the money he gave me wasn’t enough. Please bring your father to me immediately before I freeze to death!”

“Calm down.” Zissy tried to control the anger and revulsion she felt toward the widow. Her eyes trailed over the tears and stains on the widow’s coat, and of course the trail of mud she was leaving across the immaculate floor. “My father is completely wiped out from a whole day of not only working to provide for his family, but also to provide for everyone else in this village. Now is not the best time—”

“Ha! Easy for you to tell me to calm down! Standing there in your beautiful dress, in your warm, elegant home, not wanting for anything in the world. Perfect little girl, in her perfect little world! What do you know about pain, girl?”

“I know my father is also a human, and he also needs a break from… people like you.”