Jem looked at her anxiously.
"I hope you'll never sing again in a public house," he said.
"I shall sing in the streets," said Meg evasively, "and when I go to London I shall see Bostock."
The lad's eyes glared.
"Not to be with the wild beasts?"
"Yes, why not? I'd be a deal happier with them than with father and mother in that van; it only wants courage, Jem, and I ain't afeared."
Jem paced up and down in front of his companion to work off his feelings.
"I shan't let you go," he said.
Meg laughed, showing a pretty row of little teeth.
"It'll be fun," she answered. "I'd love to hear 'em growl. It would be excitin' and worth livin' for to tame a lion. You have to stroke their paws through the bars first." She watched her companion's face and laughed again. "I heard all about Bostock's advertisement in the 'Cart and Horse.' I could earn seven pounds a week at Bostock's."