"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 tom-up streets 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?"
"What's o'clock?" said Benny.
"Seven, all to a minit or so."
"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?"
