"Don't you be impudent, you young rascal," said Martin, with an unsteady voice. "If you are, I'll give you a flogging."
"Don't talk to him, Rufie," said little Rose, who had reason to fear her stepfather.
"I must, Rosie," said the newsboy, in a low voice.
"What are you muttering there?" demanded the drunkard, suspiciously.
"Where are my sister's new clothes?" asked Rough and Ready.
"I don't know about any new clothes. She aint got any as I know of."
"She had some this morning,—some that I bought and paid for. What have you done with them?"
"I've sold 'em," said Martin, doggedly, his assumed ignorance ceasing. "That's what I've done with 'em."
"What did you sell them for?" demanded the newsboy, persistently.
"What business has she got with new clothes, when we haven't got enough to eat, I'd like to know?"