It seemed that all of Bridget's cheerfulness had drained out of her at that simple question, and for a moment she considered not answering it at all. Instead she just shook her head, slowly, looking down at her feet. "No, Miss Abigail," Bridget replied, quietly. Her voice was tentative, her words halted. "My- my papa says that my mama left when I was very little. He- he tells me s-stories about her, but I- I never got to meet her. Papa says that she l-loved me v-very much, but she c-couldn't stay."