"I can't afford very good lodgings" said Leslie "my money must last until I get employment.
"Where shall we go then?" said Sylvia.
"To some common lodging house" said Leslie "you see you have clean sheets if they are needful—ah there is the lodging house."
So he and Sylvia approached a filthy house at the end of a narrow street, Leslie knocked at the door and after waiting 10 minutes a dirty old woman with a candle in her hand, opened the door.
"What is it you want? she said, "disturbing me this time of night!"
"We have come for a lodging" said our hero "how much would it be?"
"4d a night single" said the old woman "and 2d extra if you want a drop of water to wash with."
Leslie's heart sank within him at these words but he felt bound to accept saying "I hope the beds and the water are clean."
"Clean enough I'm sure" said the old woman "considering they have only been used a few times." so saying she led them up a rickety stair case into a shabby little room.
"The bed ain't made yet said Old Nan pointing to a heap of rags in the corner.