They were a poor German family. Despite the newborn baby, I don't think a Mr Hummel is ever mentioned, he could have been fighting in the war or dead, which would have contributed to the family's poverty.
Come, we must press against the tide of naughtiness. Mind your step.
They were the Hummels, neighbours to the Marchs. They were a poor German family that Marmee looked after; gave them food, clothes, etc.
shareI always hated how they thrust their baby into Beth's arms. Yes they were poor but they should have known that if someone is sick you limit contact with the sick person. Not thrust a sick baby into a healthy persons arms.
shareRight at the beginning, "Marmee" comes home and tells them about the German family who are starving, and the girls decide to donate their Christmas Day breakfast to the family. We are left to assume that they continued to offer assistance to the Hummels. In the book, IIRC Beth comes home and reports that there is scarlet fever in the house and the baby has died. The sisters tell her not to go again, but it's too late.
shareThey lived in a filthy shack with trash and junk lying around. Poverty did not prevent them from maintaining a neat, clean home. If they had done so, it most likely would have improved their health.
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