They were crying.
When they saw me, they wiped their eyes and stopped.

I saw they were poorly clad, and, somewhat dirty.

I became interested in them, but they were so shy that it was with difficulty I got them to remain.

They looked at the coppers I held out, but they did not move until I placed a silver piece beside them.

Their eyes rounded out, then, and the little girl became brave enough to come and take them.