For a moment Benny was silent, then he burst out,
"By golly, Nell! what's us to do? You know what the guv'nor said when we came away this morning?"
"Ay," said Nelly. "But 'ave you 'ad bad luck too?"
"Horful, Nell—simply horful!"
And for a moment the children looked at each other in blank dismay. Just then a gentleman was seen crossing the street carrying a portmanteau.
"Here's a gent with a portmantle," whispered Benny to his sister. "I'll try my luck! Foller me, Nell, as quick as you can." And off he darted across the street.
"Carry yer bag, sir?" said he, stepping in front of the gentleman; and there was something very appealing in his tone as he spoke.
The gentleman looked kindly down into the two honest-looking eyes that flashed in the gaslight.
"What will you take the bag to the ferry for?" he inquired.
"For what you please to give," said Benny sturdily. "Times is bad at present, and little chaps like us is glad to 'ave what we catches."