WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT. 451

Dick was all night in the streets, and next morning, being very
hungry, he got up and walked about, and asked everybody he
met to give him a halfpenny to keep him from starving, but
nobody stayed to answer him, and only two or three gave him a
halfpenny : so that the poor boy was soon quite weak and faint
for want of food. At last, a good-natured looking gentleman
saw how hungry he looked. ‘ Why don't you go to work, my
lad?” said he to Dick. ‘*’That I would,” answered Dick,
« put donot know how to get any.” —* If you are willing,” said
the gentleman, “come along with me ;” and sosaying, he took
him to a hay-field, where Dick worked briskly, and lived mer-
rily till the hay was all made. After this, he found himself as
badly off as before; and being almost starved again he laid
himself down at the door of Mr. Fitawarren, a rich merchant.
Here he was soon seen by the cook-maid, who was an ill-tem-
pered creature: she called out to poor Dick, “ What business
have you there, you lazy rogue? there is nothing else but beg-
yars; if you do not take yourself away, we will see how you
will like a sousing of some dish-water I have here, that is hot
enough to make you jump.”

Just at this time, Mr. Fitzwarren himself came home to din-
ner ; and when he saw a dirty ragged boy lying at the door, he
said to him, * Why do you lie there, my lad? you seem old
enough to work ; Lam afraid you are lazy.” —* No, indeed, sir,”
said Dick to him, “ that is not the case ; for [ would work with
all my heart ; but I do not know anybody, and I believe I am
very sick for want of food.’—“ Poor fellow,” answered Mr.
Fitzwarren ; “ get up, and let us sce what ails you.” Dick now
tried to rise, but was obliged to lie down again, being too weak
to stand; for he had not eaten anything for three days, and
was no longer able to run about and beg a halfpenny of people
in the streets, So the kind merchant ordered him to be taken

ead