"What are those children you wouldn't let me speak to?" she said, as soon as she was a little recovered.
"Street-sweepers," said Norton. "Regular nuisances! The police ought to take them up, and shut them up."
"Why, Norton?"
"Why? why because they're such a nuisance. You can't walk a half mile without having half a dozen of them holding out their hands for pennies. A fellow can't carry his pocket full of pennies and keep it full!"
"But they sweep the streets, don't they?"
"The crossings; yes. I wish they didn't. They are an everlasting bother."
"But Norton, isn't it nice to have the crossings swept? I thought it was a great deal pleasanter than to have to go through the thick dust and dirt which was everywhere else."
"Yes, but when they come every block or two?" said Norton.
"Are there so many of them?"
"There's no end to them," said Norton.