“Poor fellow!” said I. “I wish I could lend him a pair of mine.”
“Ga on!” cried Billy, scornfully, dropping on his knees before his box.
“I say, guv’nor,” said he, in a sudden mysterious tone, “can you keep it mum?”
“Yes—what?” I asked.
He looked carefully up the street and then down, and then all round. No one was near. He moved so as to let the light of a neighbouring lamp-post shine full on the pavement, as with jubilant face he lifted up his box and disclosed—a pair of new double-soled lace boots!
“Them’s for him,” he said, in an excited whisper.
“For him? Why, Billy, wherever did they come from?”
His grimy face turned up to mine all aglow with pride and triumph as he answered, “Stole ’em!”