"But at any rate, there are just as many crossings," said Matilda. "And they must be either dirty or clean."
"I can get along with the crossings," said Norton.
"Well, your boots are thick. Haven't those children any way to get a living but such a way?"
"Of course not, or they wouldn't do that, I suppose."
"But their feet were bare, Norton; they were bare, on those cold dirty stones."
"Dirt is nothing," said Norton, buttoning up his great coat comfortably. He had just loosened it to get at some change for the car fare.
"Dirt is nothing?" repeated Matilda looking at him.
"I mean, Pink," said he laughing, "it is nothing to them. They are as dirty as they can be already; a little more or less makes no difference."
"I wonder if they are as cold as they can be, too," said Matilda meditatively.
"No!" said Norton. "Not they. They are used to it. They don't feel it."