It was only later on that Winnie obtained from him a misty and confused confession.

It seems that two other office-boys in the building had worked upon his feelings by tales of injustice and oppression till they had wrought his compassion to the pitch of that frenzy.

But his father's friend, of course, dismissed him summarily as likely to ruin his business.

After that altruistic exploit Stevie was put to help wash the dishes in the basement kitchen, and to black the boots of the gentlemen patronising the Belgravian mansion.

There was obviously no future in such work.