Dickory Dock | Page 6

long way from home now, and
baby is asleep and resting nicely on my knee; my arm won't ache a bit
when she wakes, and I'll be able to carry her a splendid long way. We'll
have to think of making up our plans, Floss--we'll have to find some
place where we can all sleep comfortably to-night.'
'Well, we've got sixpence,' said Flossy, 'that's lots and lots of money;
but the night is a long way off, Peter, and I'm so hungry. I've eaten up
all the crusts that you and Snip-snap left for me, but I'm still as hungry
as possible. Mightn't I spend a halfpenny or so of our sixpence in
getting a good dinner for you and me and Snip-snap?'

Peter put his hand to his brow, and began to reflect.
'I don't think so, Floss,' he said, 'for I'm afraid you don't understand
marketing--it's best for me to go, for I'm quite old, and I know the way
mother talks to the baker's man and the milkman when they come to the
door. I must be sharp with them, Floss; that's what I must be, and I
don't think you could be; so you had better hold the baby while I fetch
our dinner. Oh dear, what a good thing it is I have got sixpence!'
The baby, being very sound asleep, was transferred to Flossy's arms
without waking, Snip-snap was left in charge of the two, and Peter,
who knew very little more of London and London life than his little
sister, started off manfully to the eating-house round the corner. He had
gone away with a bright face, but he returned in a very short time with
one singularly depressed.
'Here's a bit of stale bread for each of us,' he said, 'and I had to give two
halfpennies for that. I did see such a nice piece of beef and of pudding,
and I ordered some for you and me and Snip-snap, but the woman said
all that much would cost three sixpences, so then I had to say I wouldn't
have it; and I took the stale bread, and she was very cross. O Floss, I
hope I'm right about sixpence; I hope it will buy a bed for baby, and
milk and food for us all, for I'm thinking we had much better none of us
go back to-night.'
'Of course, we won't go back,' said Flossie. 'The stale bread's 'licious,
and I'm so hungry. O Peter, do look! Dickory is stretching herself, and
rubbing her little fat hands into her eyes; and I know she's going to
wake, and I'm afraid she'll cry.'
'Give her to me,' said Peter, with the air of a practised nurse. 'I'll hold
her, and you can feed me while I'm doing so, Flossy.'
But notwithstanding all Peter's efforts, notwithstanding his singing, and
even shouting, for the baby's benefit, notwithstanding the admiring
cheers of a little street mob that collected round him, the baby cried,
not a loud cry, but a weak, broken-hearted wail. The fact was, the
indifferent milk Flossy had fed her with had made her ill, and her little

frame was already sadly chilled by the damp shawl which she wore
about her. Poor Dickory scarcely ever got any air or exercise, and in
consequence was very susceptible to cold.
'She is sneezing,' said Flossy. 'Oh the poor, poor darling! Peter, I think
we'd better see about our night's lodging soon; it doesn't agree with
Dickory to keep her out so long.'
'We'll go at once,' said Peter, rising to his feet. 'There's another black
cloud coming up, and there'll be a shower again before long. We'll get a
nice room for us four, and then we'll be as happy as possible.'
Accordingly the little party again moved forward, and whenever Peter
or Flossy saw a card up in a window they stopped and rang the
house-bell, and inquired for lodgings for themselves and their baby. Of
course, they were repulsed in all kinds of ways--some people merely
laughing, and shutting the door in their faces; some scolding them, and
calling them tiresome, impertinent little brats; and some even
threatening to tell the police about them; but no one ever hinted at the
possibility of taking them in. Presently they left the more respectable
streets, and wandered into very poor quarters. Here, doubtless, they
could have found accommodation were they able to pay for it, but
everybody laughed at Peter's pennies, and no one dreamt of offering
them a shelter. Then the rain which had threatened came down, and
baby was again wet through, and now she looked ill, as well as fretful,
and refused some fresh milk which Flossy bought for her. She was not
the least like the bright little Dickory who