"It seems too good to be true," said Daffy breathlessly. "Now what must we do, Freda?"
"We can't take our sheets till after we're in bed to-night; Jane would miss them; but we can get some food for him. Nellie is our only hope."
So they made their way to the back door and lay in wait for Nellie. They dared not go in. The old cook would have no children in her kitchen at any time.
When Nellie came out and heard their request, she shook her head.
"Now who's it for this time? You mustn't bring beggars about the place."
"But he's in the road now," said Freda. "Do, Nellie, just this once. He's a poor old man; think if he was your grandfather!"
Nellie tossed her head.
"My grandfeyther is a respectable man. He wouldn't be beggin' from children like you."
"Oh, he didn't beg, at least not before we spoke to him. Just a nice plate of scraps, Nellie; the best that you can spare."
Nellie went indoors. She came out again very soon with a basin in her hand.