Meanwhile Benny was busily engaged counting his money. Fourpence he laid aside for the purpose of purchasing stock for the morrow's sale, a penny he had spent in potatoes, and still he had threepence to the good, besides the sixpence the gentleman gave him, which was clear profit. The sixpence was evidently a great prize to him, for he looked at it long and earnestly.
"Wish I could keep it for mysel'," he muttered; "but it's no go--the guv'nor will 'ave to 'ave it. But the coppers I'll keep 'ginst bad times. Here, Nell," he said, nudging his sister, "you keep these 'ere coppers; and then if the guv'nor axes me if I has any more, I can tell him no."
"All right, Benny." And again the great round eyes sought the glowing grate, and the sweet smile played over her face once more.
"What are 'e looking at, Nell?" said Benny, after a pause. "You look as 'appy as a dead duck in a saucepan."
"Oh, Benny, I see such beautiful pictures in the fire. Don't you 'members on fine days how we looks across the river and sees the great hills 'way behind Birkenhead, such miles an' miles away?"
"Ay, I 'members. I'll take 'e across the river some day, Nell, when I'se richer."
"Will 'e, Benny? I shall be so glad. But I sees great hills in the fire, an' trees, an' pools, an' little rivers, an' oh! such lots of purty things."
"Queer!" said Benny. "I don't see nowt o' sort."
Then there was silence again, and Joe--who had been to see that the lamps at each end of the torn-up street were all right--came up.
"How are 'e now, my 'arties? Are 'e warmer'n you was?"
"Ay, Joe, we's nice now," said Nelly; "an' we's much 'bliged to you for lettin' us come."
"Oh, ye're welcome. But ain't it time you was to home?"
"Ay, then, we must be off," said the children in chorus; and wishing Joe good night, they darted off into the wet, cold street, and disappeared in the gloom.
"Purty little hangel!" said Joe, as he stood looking up the street long after they had disappeared. "I wonder what will become o' her when she grows up?"
The whole court Went boiling, bubbling up from all the doors And windows, with a hideous wail of laughs And roar of oaths, and blows, perhaps.... I passed Too quickly for distinguishing ... and pushed A little side door hanging on a hinge, And plunged into the dark. --Elizabeth Barrett Browning.