Be they here?"

And at their answer, not only the window, but the door in the gate was
opened, and stooping low to enter, Kit Smallbones came in, and not
empty-handed.

"Ay, ay, youngsters," said he, "I knew how it would be, by what I saw
elsewhere, so I came with a fee to open locks. How came ye to get into
such plight as this? And poor little Hope too! A fine pass when they
put babes in jail."

"I'm prenticed!" said Jasper, though in a very weak little voice.

"Have you had bite or sup?" asked Kit.

And on their reply, telling how those who had had supplies from home had
been treated, Smallbones observed, "Let them try it," and stood, at all
his breadth, guarding the two youths and little Jasper, as they ate,
Stephen at first with difficulty, in the dampness and foulness of the
place, but then ravenously. Smallbones lectured them on their folly all
the time, and made them give an account of the night. He said their
master was at the Guildhall taking counsel with the Lord Mayor, and
there were reports that it would go hard with the rioters, for murder
and plunder had been done in many places, and he especially looked at.
Giles with pity, and asked how he came to embroil himself with Master
Mundy? Still his good-natured face cheered them, and he promised
further supplies. He also relieved Stephen's mind about his brother,
telling of his inquiry at the Dragon in the morning. All that day the
condition of such of the prisoners as had well-to-do friends was
improving. Fathers, brothers, masters, and servants, came in quest of
them, bringing food and bedding, and by exorbitant fees to the jailers
obtained for them shelter in the gloomy cells. Mothers could not come,
for a proclamation had gone out that none were to babble, and men were
to keep their wives at home. And though there were more material
comforts, prospects were very gloomy. Ambrose came when Kit Smallbones
returned with what Mrs Headley had sent the captives. He looked sad
and dazed, and clung to his brother, but said very little, except that
they ought to be locked up together, and he really would have been left
in Newgate, if Kit had not laid a great hand on his shoulder and almost
forced him away.

Master Headley himself arrived with Master Hope in the afternoon.
Jasper sprang to his brother, crying, "Simon! Simon! you are come to
take me out of this dismal, evil place?" But Master Hope--a tall,
handsome, grave young man, who had often