Alone in London
Hesba Stretton
Paperback
(CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, May 2, 2017)
"A sweet and touching little book for children, and, if it does not make them cry, it will give the parents a good opportunity to lift their hearts with gratitude to that God Who careth for them." -The Weekly Review "Since the days of Mrs. Sherwood, no lady writer has done better for youthful readers than Hesba Stretton." "Hesba Stretton writes with deep pathos and tender feeling." -The Daily Chronicle In the shop it was not yet so dark but that old Oliver could see his way out with the shutters, which during the day occupied a place behind the door. He lifted the flap of the counter, and was about to go on with his usual business, when a small voice, trembling a little, and speaking from the floor at his very feet, caused him to pause suddenly. "Please, rere's a little girl here," said the voice. Oliver stooped down to bring his eyes nearer to the ground, until he could make out the indistinct outline of the figure of a child, seated on his shop floor, and closely hugging a dog in her arms. Her face looked small to him; it was pale, as if she had been crying quietly, and though he could not see them, a large tear stood on each of her cheeks. "What little girl are you?" he asked, almost timidly. "Rey called me Dolly," answered the child. "Haven't you any other name?" inquired old Oliver "Nosing else but Poppet," she said; "rey call me Dolly sometimes, and Poppet sometimes. Ris is my little dog, Beppo." She introduced the dog by pushing its nose into his hand, and Beppo complacently wagged his tail and licked the old man's withered fingers. "What brings you here in my shop, my little woman?" asked Oliver. "Mammy brought me," she said, with a stifled sob; "she told me run in rere, Dolly, and stay till mammy comes back, and be a good girl always. Am I a good girl?" "Yes, yes," he answered, soothingly; "you're a very good little girl, I'm sure; and mother 'ill come back soon, very soon. Let us go to the door, and look for her."