Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/54

 "So Mr. Gedge-Tomkins discharged you on information received from Mrs. Meeken, did he? A lofty-minded fellow," said the Honorable John Ruffin; and his gray eyes darkened as they sparkled. "And so now only five shillings a week stand between the Lump and the workhouse?"

"Yes, sir," said Pollyooly.

"Ours is a wonderful civilization!" said the Honorable John Ruffin with warm enthusiasm. "I trust, Pollyooly, that you are properly thankful that you are a happy English child, living in the heart of the greatest and wealthiest city the world has ever known."

"Yes, sir," said Pollyooly a little doubtfully.

He asked Pollyooly how much she paid in rent, how much she spent on food and clothes; then he drew a small handful of silver from his pocket, looked at it, frowned, and said sadly, "Lean years—lean years."

He reflected for a moment; then he said, "As I expected, rent is your chief burden. I suppose you occupy a furnished apartment."

"Oh, no, sir, there aren't any furnished apartments at three shillings a week. Aunt Hannah