At the end of the year he got his shilling rise, and at the end of six months another shilling, and with seven shillings a week he considered himself quite rich. And all this time he went on reading and studying, and storing up for the future. It is surprising what a boy can do for himself in this way. All the schooling in the world is of small value in comparison with what an earnest youngster can teach himself out of school hours.
As time went on Nan’s walks with Nick to and from his workshop became less frequent. She was growing in years and beauty, and she felt that she ought to do something towards earning a living.
There was a little confectioner’s and cake shop in Whitechapel, opposite the butchers’ stalls, and she obtained a situation there. I don’t know how much a week she got; it must have been very little, because the shop did a poor business, but Nan was happy in the knowledge that she was making herself useful. What struck me as being a very beautiful thing was the pride she and Nick took in each other, the thoughtful, loving way in which they would look at each other, the dependence and trust she placed in him, the tender and protecting air he showed towards her.
It did not occur to me that they were too much in each other’s company, and that Nan’s beauty was a dangerous possession; if it had, I don’t think it would have troubled me, so strong was my belief in Nick’s honesty and straightforwardness, and in Nan’s sense of what was right.
Once a week Nick had to work till nearly midnight, and Nan took it into her head to go and meet him on his way home.
I spoke to Nick about it, and said it was hardly safe, for a young and pretty girl like Nan, to be out by herself at such an hour. There were rough characters living round about, and when they had had too much to drink, it was as well to give them a wide berth. Nick, in his turn, spoke to Nan, and bade her not to venture out alone so late at night. He told her in my presence, but she pleaded so hard to be allowed to go and meet him that I saw he was wavering, and would give way, so I said,
“Well, you shall go, Nan; but not alone. Dummy shall go with you.”
They both thanked me gratefully, and Nick and I felt easier in our minds. As for Nan, she never had any fear.
The sense of that dog! On the nights he was told off to do duty and take care of Nan, there he was ready, and he trotted by her side, every nerve in his body alert with watchfulness, and with a wicked look in his eyes which boded ill to the evilly inclined. When Nan and Nick met, he would leave them and come back to do duty and take care of me. Faithful old Dummy! Little did we think that we had pronounced his doom.
He was with Nan—on a Thursday night it was—and it was nearer twelve than eleven, when I heard screams for help ringing through the air and, immediately upon the screams, the howling of a man in pain.