"I am quite sure; we have seen him."
This satisfied Little Prue, and the look of terror changed to one of gratitude.
"Thank yer kindly, sir," she said. "I think I should 'ave died if I 'adn't 'ad somethink to eat. It's a long time since I had sech a tuck-out. I couldn't eat another mouthful if I tried."
"And now, child, tell us where you live, and whether you have a mother."
"Oh, yes, sir, I've got a mother; and I live in Roxy's Rents."
"I've heard of the place," said Rathbeal; "it's in Lambeth. We will see the little one home."
"Thank yer, sir. I don't think I could find my way without father. Oh!" she cried, looking about distressfully, "where's my matches?"
They had dropped from her hands when she was falling, and the friends had not stopped to pick them up.
"Never mind your matches."
"But father'll wollup me if I don't sell 'em before I go 'ome! I can't go 'ome till I've got a shilling!"