Page:History of Whittington and his cat (1).pdf/3

 Though the waggoner was so charitable as to let him walk up by the side of his waggon for nothing, he took care not to know him when he came to town; and, in a little time, this poor boy was so cold and so hungry, that he wished himself in a good kitchen, and by a warm fire-side in the country.

In this distress he asked charity of several persons, and one of them bid him go work for an idle rogue—That I will, says Whittington, with all my heart; I will work for you, if you will let me.

The man, who thought this savoured of wit and impertinence, (though the poor lad intended only to shew his readiness to work) gave him a blow with a stick, which broke his head, so that the blood ran down. In this situation, and fainting for want of food, he laid himself down at the door of one Mr Fitzwarren, a merchant. Here the cook saw him, and being an ill-natured