Marcella laughed.
"Clever Benny," she said, patting his head; "but why aren't you at school, sir?"
Benjamin grinned.
"'Ow d'yer s'pose my ma's goin' to git along without me to do for 'er and the babby?" he replied slily.
"Well, Benny, you'll have the Board officer down on you."
At this the urchin laughed out.
"Why, 'e wor here last week! Ee can't be troublin' 'isself about this 'ere bloomin' street _ev_ery day in the week."
There was a sharp knock at the door.
"The doctor," she said, as her face dismissed the frolic brightness which had stolen upon it for a moment. "Run away, Benny."
Benny opened the door, looked the doctor coolly up and down, and then withdrew to the landing, where his sisters were waiting to play with him.