V
"Well, blow me," said the Foreman Shunter. "Show the light, Pearson."
The second subordinate maneuvered the lantern. "On'y a kid. And I never see sich a state as he's in. No boots. No stockings. Just look at them feet. And his hands all of a mush. Gawd!" said the Foreman Shunter.
"What'll you do about it, Job?" said subordinate number one.
"Do about it?" said the Foreman Shunter sharply. "Do about what?"
"Might let him go this time?" said subordinate number two.
The boy opened his eyes.
"I'll take him 'ome to the missus and give him some breakfast," said the Foreman Shunter with an air of asperity.
The odd thing was that both subordinates seemed silently to approve this grave dereliction of a foreman shunter's duty.
"Can you walk, me lad?"