But the thought of her boy’s suffering made the poor woman dry her eyes, and by the time she was composed we were back again in the street where Guy’s Hospital stands, and then, after muttering a hope that Sammy would mind his brother Pete didn’t set his pinafore a fire, the mother entered the building, and we parted.
“And how’s the leg, Bill?” I asked him some time later.
“A’most well, mum, ony I can’t get it quite straight yet, being a bit drawn; but it never hurts now.”
“Down by Brick Lane still?”
“No, ma’am; mother lives close by Camberwell, in one o’ them streets out o’ Walworth Road, and does clear starching now; and as soon as the leg gets quite well I’m a-going to have a barrer.”
But his ambition was never gratified, for soon after the little hero was in a respectable situation and doing well.