"But it was only a story, Faith...." That was what her mother had said, so perhaps everything wonderful in life was just a story, too—never coming true!
She quickened her steps with a feeling of shame. The day of miracles had passed; fairy princes did not go about the East End of London disguised as big, burly men with kind eyes.
Faith turned a corner sharply and came face to face with "the Beggar Man."...
He pulled up short with a conventional apology, then all at once he smiled.
"I was thinking of you a moment ago. It was just here that we met yesterday, wasn't it?"
"Yes." Faith had flushed like a rose. "I was just thinking of you, too," she said, with courage born of her delight.
He looked at her. "Have you had your tea?" he asked in his abrupt manner.
"No, I'm just going home."
"Then we'll have some tea first; there's a shop just along the road."