. Then I walked about and
then I sat on the embankment trying to think what to do and where to
go. And two coppers wanted to know what I was doing all alone on my
own."

"They would," said Pollyooly in a tone of deep hostility to the police
force of London.

"Well, I said I was going to my aunt in Southwark. I had an aunt in
Southwark once--only she's dead. But I couldn't think of anywhere to
go--there didn't seem to be anywhere. So I thought I'd better go back
to Mrs. Baker's and let them take me to the workhouse. At any rate
she'll give me something to eat."

Pollyooly's tears had dried as she listened to her friend's tale; she
wore an alert and able air which went but ill with her delicate beauty.
She said quickly:

"Haven't you had anything to eat either?"

Millicent shook her head and said somewhat faintly:

"Not since supper last night. And I didn't eat much then--I wasn't
hungry--not after the funeral."

"You wouldn't be," said Pollyooly sympathetically.

"And I hadn't any money. The funeral took all the money," Millicent
added.

"Then the first thing to do is to get a bun," said Pollyooly in a tone
of relief at seeing her way to do something. "Then you can come and
have dinner with us."

"Thank you," said Millicent.

Her lips worked, as a hungry child's will, at the thought of food; and
a faint colour came into her white cheeks.

Pollyooly started across the road with the Lump, and Millicent took his
other hand.

On the other side of the road Pollyooly said firmly:

"You can't go to the workhouse. You mustn't. But we'll wait till we
get home before we talk about that. But there must be some way for you
not to go to it. We didn't."

They led the Lump down to the Strand; and at the first confectioner's
shop Pollyooly bought Millicent a bun. The hungry child ate the first
two mouthfuls ravenously; then she paused to break off a piece and give
it to the Lump.

"No, no!" said Pollyooly quickly. "You eat it all yourself. You want
it. He'll have his dinner as soon as he gets home."

"Oh, let me give him just a little piece," said Millicent.

"No: you're to eat it all," said Pollyooly firmly.

Most children of three would have burst into a roar on hearing this
cruel prohibition. The placidity of the Lump was proof even against so
severe a blow. He merely went on his way with a saddened air.
Millicent ate the rest of the bun with eager thankfulness, brightening
a little as th