‘Ah, I see you haven’t,’ said the lady, with a sigh, ‘or you would not have asked me that question. Can you read?’
‘No—what’s that? Anything to eat?’
The actress took out a newspaper.
‘There, what does that mean?’ she asked.
‘Blest if I knows.’
‘Ah, I’m afraid you’ve a good deal to learn. What can you do?’
‘Oh, all sorts of things; stand on my head, ’old ’osses, do the Catherine wheel business. Shall I show you?’ said the little fellow, emerging from his wrap, and preparing to display his gymnastic powers. ‘Dash my buttons! the place ain’t big enough,’ said the boy with a disappointed air.
Presently the train came to a halt, and in a minute the boy was under the seat, exclaiming in a fright:
‘Oh, crikey! there’s a peeler.’
‘Well, he won’t hurt you.’