Excuse me, sir, one moment, said Number 666, going towards a crowd which had gathered round a fallen horse. I happen to be going to that district myself, he continued on returning, what is the boys name?
Robertperhaps I should rather say Bobby Frog, answered Sir Richard.
The name is familiar, returned the policeman, but in London there are so manywhats his address, sir,Roys Court, near Commercial Street? Oh! I know it wellone of the worst parts of London. I know the boy too. He is somewhat noted in that neighbourhood for giving the police trouble. Not a bad-hearted fellow, I believe, but full of mischief, and has been brought up among thieves from his birth. His father is, or was, a bird-fancier and seller of penny articles on the streets, besides being a professional pugilist. You will be the better for protection there, sir. I would advise you not to go alone. If you can wait for five or ten minutes, added Giles, I shall be off duty and will be happy to accompany you.
Sir Richard agreed to wait. Within the time mentioned Giles was relieved, and, entering a cab with his friends, drove towards Whitechapel. They had to pass near our policemans lodgings on the way.
Would you object, sir, stopping at my house for five minutes? he asked.
Certainly not, returned the knight, I am in no hurry.
Number 666 stopped the cab, leaped out and disappeared through a narrow passage. In less than five minutes a very tall gentlemanly man issued from the same passage and approached them. Little Di opened her blue eyes to their very uttermost. It was her policeman in plain clothes!
She did not like the change at all at first, but before the end of the drive got used to him in his new aspectall the more readily that he seemed to have cast off much of his stiffness and reserve with his blue skin.
Near the metropolitan railway station in Whitechapel the cab was dismissed, and Giles led the father and child along the crowded thoroughfare until they reached Commercial Street, along which they proceeded a short distance.
We are now near some of the worst parts of London, sir, said Giles, where great numbers of the criminal and most abandoned characters dwell.
Indeed, said Sir Richard, who did not seem to be much gratified by the information.
As for Di, she was nearly crying. The news that her boy was a thief and was born in the midst of such naughty people had fallen with chilling influence on her heart, for she had never thought of anything but the story-book poor but honest parents!
What large building is that? inquired the knight, who began to wish that he had not given way to his daughters importunities, the one opposite, I mean, with placards under the windows.
That is the well-known Home of Industry, instituted and managed by Miss Macpherson and a staff of volunteer workers. They do a deal of good, sir, in this neighbourhood.
Ah! indeed, said Sir Richard, who had never before heard of the Home of Industry. And, pray, what particular industry does this Miss Mac what did you call her?
Macpherson. The lady, you know, who sends out so many rescued waifs and strays to Canada, and spends all her time in caring for the poorest of the poor in the East-End and in preaching the gospel to them. Youve often seen accounts of her work, no doubt, in the Christian?
Wellnno. I read the Times, but, now you mention it, I have some faint remembrance of seeing reference to such matters. Very self-denying, no doubt, and praiseworthy, though I must say that I doubt the use of preaching the gospel to such persons. From what I have seen of these lowest people I should think they were too deeply sunk in depravity to be capable of appreciating the lofty and sublime sentiments of Christianity.
Number 666 felt a touch of surprise at these words, though he was too well-bred a policeman to express his feelings by word or look. In fact, although not pre-eminently noted for piety, he had been led by training, and afterwards by personal experience, to view this matter from a very different standpoint from that of Sir Richard. He made no reply, however, but, turning round the corner of the Home of Industry, entered a narrow street which bore palpable evidence of being the abode of deepest poverty. From the faces and garments of the inhabitants it was also evidently associated with the deepest depravity.
As little Di saw some of the residents sitting on their doorsteps with scratched faces, swelled lips and cheeks, and dishevelled hair, and beheld the children in half-naked condition rolling in the kennel and extremely filthy, she clung closer to her fathers side and began to suspect there were some phases of life she had never seenhad not even dreamt of!
What the knights thoughts were we cannot tell, for he said nothing, but disgust was more prominent than pity on his fine countenance. Those who sat on the doorsteps, or lolled with a dissipated air against the door-posts, seemed to appreciate him at his proper value, for they scowled at him as he passed. They recognised Number 666, however, (perhaps by his bearing), and gave him only a passing glance of indifference.
You said it would be dangerous for me to come here by myself, said Sir Richard, turning to Giles, as he entered another and even worse street. Are they then so violent?
Many of them are among the worst criminals in London, sir. Here is the court of which you are in search: Roys Court.
As he spoke, Ned Frog staggered out of his own doorway, clenched his fists, and looked with a vindictive scowl at the strangers. A second glance induced him to unclench his fists and reel round the corner on his way to a neighbouring grog-shop. Whatever other shops may decay in that region, the grog-shops, like noxious weeds, always flourish.
The court was apparently much deserted at that hour, for the men had not yet returned from their workwhatever that might beand most of the women were within doors.
This is the house, continued Giles, descending the few steps, and tapping at the door; I have been here before. They know me.
The door was opened by Hetty, and for the first time since entering those regions of poverty and crime, little Di felt a slight rise in her spirits, for through Hettys face shone the bright spirit within; albeit the shining was through some dirt and dishevelment, good principle not being able altogether to overcome the depressing influences of extreme poverty and suffering.
Is your mother at home, Hetty!
Oh! yes, sir. Mother, heres Mr Scott. Come in, sir. We are so glad to see you, and
She stopped, and gazed inquiringly at the visitors who followed.
Ive brought some friends of Bobby to inquire for him. Sir Richard BrandonMrs Frog.
Number 666 stood aside, and, with something like a smile on his face, ceremoniously presented Wealth to Poverty.
Wealth made a slightly confused bow to Poverty, and Poverty, looking askance at Wealth, dropt a mild courtesy.
Vell now, Im a Dutchman if it aint the hangel! exclaimed a voice in the corner of the small room, before either Wealth or Poverty could utter a word.
Oh! its my boy, exclaimed Di with delight, forgetting or ignoring the poverty, dirt, and extremely bad air, as she ran forward and took hold of Bobbys hand.
It was a pre-eminently dirty hand, and formed a remarkable contrast to the little hands that grasped it!
The small street boy was, for the first time in his life, bereft of speech! When that faculty returned, he remarked in language which was obscure to Di:
It was a pre-eminently dirty hand, and formed a remarkable contrast to the little hands that grasped it!
The small street boy was, for the first time in his life, bereft of speech! When that faculty returned, he remarked in language which was obscure to Di:
Vell, if this aint a go!
What is a go? asked Di with innocent surprise. Instead of answering, Bobby Frog burst into a fit of laughter, but stopped rather suddenly with an expression of pain.
Oh! old on! I say. This wont do. Doctor e said I musnt larf, cause it shakes the leg too much. But, you know, wots a cove to do ven a hangel comes to him and axes sitch rum questions?
Again he laughed, and again stopped short in pain.
Im so sorry! Does it feel very painful? You cant think how constantly Ive been thinking of you since the accident; for it was all my fault. If I hadnt jumped up in such a passion, the pony wouldnt have run away, and you wouldnt have been hurt. Im so very, very sorry, and I got dear papa to bring me here to tell you so, and to see if we could do anything to make you well.
Again Bobby was rendered speechless, but his mind was active.
Wot! I aint dreamin, am I? As a hangel really come to my bedside all the vay from the Vest-end, an brought er dear pavich means the guvnor, I fancyall for to tell mea kid whose life is spent in movin onthat shes wery, wery, sorry Ive got my leg broke, an that shes bin an done it, an she would like to know if she can do hanythink asll make me vell! But it aint true. Its a big lie! Im dreamin, thats all. Ive been took to hospital, an got dliriousthats wot it is. Ill try to sleep!
With this end in view he shut his eyes, and remained quite still for a few seconds, and when Di looked at his pinched and pale face in this placid condition, the tears would overflow their natural boundary, and sobs would rise up in her pretty throat, but she choked them back for fear of disturbing her boy.
Presently the boy opened his eyes.
Wot, are you there yet? he asked.
Oh yes. Did you think I was going away? she replied, with a look of innocent surprise. I wont leave you now. Ill stay here and nurse you, if papa will let me. I have slept once on a shake-down, when I was forced by a storm to stay all night at a juvnile party. So if youve a corner here, it will do nicely
My dear child, interrupted her amazed father, you are talking nonsense. Anddo keep a little further from the bed. There may beyou knowinfection
Oh! you neednt fear infection here, sir, said Mrs Frog, somewhat sharply. We are poor enough, God knows, though I have seen better times, but we keep ourselves pretty clean, though we cant afford to spend much on soap when food is so dear, and money so scarceso very scarce!
Forgive me, my good woman, said Sir Richard, hastily, I did not mean to offend, but circumstances would seem to favour the ideaofof
And here Wealthalthough a bank director and chairman of several boards, and capable of making a neat, if weakly, speech on economic laws and the currency when occasion requiredwas dumb before Poverty. Indeed, though he had often theorised about that stricken creature, he had never before fairly hunted her down, run her into her den, and fairly looked her in the face.
The fact is, Mrs Frog, said Giles Scott, coming to the rescue, Sir Richard is anxious to know something about your affairsyour family, you know, and your means ofby the way, where is baby? he said looking round the room.
Shes gone lost, said Mrs Frog.
Lost? repeated Giles, with a significant look.
Ay, lost, repeated Mrs Frog, with a look of equal significance.
Bless me, how did you lose your child? asked Sir Richard, in some surprise.
Oh! sir, that often happens to us poor folk. Were used to it, said Mrs Frog, in a half bantering half bitter tone.
Sir Richard suddenly called to mind the factwhich had not before impressed him, though he had read and commented on itthat 11,835 children under ten years of age had been lost that year, (and it was no exceptional year, as police reports will show), in the streets of London, and that 23 of these children were never found.
He now beheld, as he imagined, one of the losers of the lost ones, and felt stricken.
Well now, said Giles to Mrs Frog, lets hear how you get along. What does your husband do?
He mostly does nothin but drink. Sometimes he sells little birds; sometimes he sells penny watches or boot-laces in Cheapside, an turns in a little that way, but it all goes to the grog-shop; none of it comes here. Then he has a mill now an again
A mill? said Sir Richard,is it a snuff or flour
Hes a professional pugilist, explained Giles.
An hes employed at a music-hall, continued Mrs Frog, to call out the songs an keep order. An Bobby always used to pick a few coppers by runnin messages, sellin matches, and odd jobs. But hes knocked over now.
And yourself. How do you add to the general fund? asked Sir Richard, becoming interested in the household management of Poverty.
Well, I char a bit an wash a bit, sir, when Im well enoughwhich aint often. An sometimes I lights the Jews fires for em, an clean up their earths on Saturdayswich is their Sundays, sir. But Hetty works like a horse. Its she as keeps us from the workus, sir. Shes got employment at a slop shop, and by workin ard all day manages to make about one shillin a week.
I beg your pardonhow much?
One shillin, sir.
Ah, you mean one shilling a day, I suppose.
No, sir, I mean one shillin a week. Mr Scott there knows that Im tellin whats true.
Giles nodded, and Sir Richard said, haahem, having nothing more lucid to remark on such an amazing financial problem as was here set before him.
But, continued Mrs Frog, poor Hetty has had a sad disappointment this week
Oh! mother, interrupted Hetty, dont trouble the gentleman with that. Perhaps he wouldnt understand it, for of course he hasnt heard about all the outs and ins of slop-work.
Pardon me, my good girl, said Sir Richard, I have not, as you truly remark, studied the details of slop-work minutely, but my mind is not unaccustomed to financial matters. Pray let me hear about this
A savage growling, something between a mastiff and a man, outside the door, here interrupted the visitor, and a hand was heard fumbling about the latch. As the hand seemed to lack skill to open the door the foot considerately took the duty in hand and burst it open, whereupon the huge frame of Ned Frog stumbled into the room and fell prostrate at the feet of Sir Richard, who rose hastily and stepped back.
The pugilist sprang up, doubled his ever ready fists, and, glaring at the knight, asked savagely:
Who the
He was checked in the utterance of a ferocious oath, for at that moment he encountered the grave eye of Number 666.
Relaxing his fists he thrust them into his coat-pockets, and, with a subdued air, staggered out of the house.
My usband, sir, said Mrs Frog, in answer to her visitors inquiring glance.