For a minute Tony only looked on at their perplexity, but then he went up to them, holding Dolly by the hand.
[Illustration: A NEW BROOM AND A CROSSING] "If you'll take care of my little girl," he said, "I'll carry your little girl across the road.

I'm wery clean for a street-boy, all but my feet, 'cos I've got this little girl to take care of; and I'll do it wery gentle." Both the lady and the child looked very searchingly into Tony's face.

It was pale and meagre; but there was a pleasant smile upon it, and his eyes shone down upon the two children with a very loving light in them.
The lady took Dolly's hand in hers, nodding permission for him to carry her little child over to the other side, and she waited for him to come back to his own charge.

Then she took out her purse, and put twopence into his hand.
"Thank ye, my lady," said Tony; "but I didn't do it for that.

I'm only looking out for a crossing.