"Father did, sir."
"What did your father beat you like that for?"
"Father got drunk sir, and beat me 'cos I wouldn't steal."
"Did you ever steal?"
"Yes, sir, I was a street thief once."
"And why don't you steal any more?"
"Please, sir, I went to the mission school, and they told me there of God and of Heaven and of Jesus and they taught me, 'Thou shalt not steal,' and I'll never steal again, if father kills me for it. But, please sir, don't tell him."
"My boy, you mast not stay here; you will die. Now you wait patiently here for a little time; I'm going away to see a lady. We will get a better place for you than this."
"Thank you sir, but please, sir, would you like to hear me sing a little hymn?"
Bruised, battered, forlorn; friendless, motherless; hiding away from an infuriated father he had a little hymn to sing.