"I see, dear."
"Oh, but, Papa, those two have no shoes nor stockings; and they seem so hungry. May I give them this shilling, Papa? to go and get something to eat?"
"My dear Adeline," answered the Baronet, "those children are beggars."
"Yes, Papa, I know that; do let us give the poor things something."
"Beggars, Adeline, ought never to be encouraged, we should soon be eaten up by them if they were. They have no business there, it is contrary to law; and I am surprised that the policeman does not take them up.
"Take them up, Papa?" said Adeline, the phrase producing an association of ideas in her youthful mind; "Dr. Goodman said in his sermon that we ought to take poor people in."
"Dr. Goodman is a—that is, dear, he means that the poor should be taken in—charge by the—I mean that they should be properly provided for."
"What did you say, Papa?"
"Provided for; taken care of. There are places, you know, on purpose for them. That large building that we passed yesterday in the carriage is one of them. It is called a workhouse."
"What, that place where the funny man with the great cocked-hat was standing at the door, Papa?"