He lit one and discovered her standing staring at the floor, her skirts gathered up. "Oh, 'twas an iron-holder!" she cried. "A dear, innocent little iron-holder!"
In the end they found half a loaf of bread and a pot with a little raspberry jam in it. Nell found the jam and was immensely proud of herself.
"By all that's wonderful, a hap'orth of jam in the bottom of a pot! Left out—unlocked—for the first thief to break in and steal!"
"Don't call nasty names. That'll do. I'll be a cripple soon—I've burnt all the tips of my fingers off already. Come along."
Upstairs he sat on his bed and munched bread and jam.
"He's got horses, Nell! One—a ripping chestnut—made me think of Acushla."
He picked a crumb off his knee and ate it thoughtfully.
Her lip curled.
"And he prefers a motor!" she ejaculated.
He did not heed her; he still looked thoughtful.