Page:A Child of the Jago - Arthur Morrison.djvu/72

, venturing some way from the retreat, found himself in a scrimmage, and a man snatched away his piece of iron and floored a Leary with it. Gratifying as was the distinction of aiding in the exploit, Dicky mourned the loss of the weapon, almost unto tears; and Tommy Rann would not go turn about with the other, but kept it wholly for himself: so Dicky was fain sorrowfully to hunt for a mere stick. Even a disengaged stick was not easy to find just then. So Dicky, emerging from the Jago, tried Meakin Street, where there were shops, but unsuccessfully; and so came round by Luck Row, a narrow way from Meakin Street, by Walker's cook-shop, up through the Jago.

Dicky's mother, left with the baby, fastened the door as well as she might, and trembled. Indeed she had reason. The time of Josh Perrott's return was a matter of doubt, but when he did come he