As he sat there he naturally began to think. What were they going to do?
Whatever happened he would take care of Willie. He would have to find
another crossing, and Willie would have to go with him. At any rate they
would always be together, and nobody should hit Willie again. He knew his
father wouldn't come to look for them. He would be only too glad to be rid
of them. Were all fathers like his? he wondered. He didn't think so,
because he had seen some children running along by the side of their
father, and they even laughed and looked as though they were glad.
_He_ laughed sometimes at some of the queer things Willie said, but he
never laughed if his father was there. No, they couldn't all be alike.

As he sat there thinking, it had become quite dark, and presently he heard
the park-keeper calling, "All out!" Very gently he roused the little
sleeper, and again they trudged along, on and on, till at last they found
themselves at Covent Garden Market, and there Bob resolve to stay for the
night. They crept into an empty barrel, and locked in each other's arms
they were soon fast asleep.

CHAPTER II

A FRIEND IN NEED

The two boys were awake early next for business begins early in Covent
Garden, and they soon had to leave the shelter of their barrel, for barrels
had to be used for other purposes than to serve as bedrooms for little
boys. Besides, Bob felt that he had no time now that he had Willie to
provide for.

"Come, Willie," he said, "we must have a wash the fust thing, and then we
must earn some money to buy our breakfast with."

"Why, where can we wash?" asked Willie.

"Oh, I know a fust-rate place," answered Rob. "I think it was just made
for boys like you and me wot ain't got no 'ome."

Willie placed his hand in his brother's, and off the two boys ran, until
they reached Trafalgar Square. Willie shouted with glee at the sight of so
much water. Never had he enjoyed himself so much as he did that morning as
he splashed about in the water, and never had he felt so clean as he did
when he had finished.

"Now," said Bob, "jist you run up and down 'ere as fast as you can;
yer'll soon dry."

Willie did as he was told, and soon felt dry and quite hungry; but he was a
thoughtful little fellow, and determined to wait bravely until Bob could
get something for him to eat.

"Are yer dry, Willie?" asked Bob.

"Should jist think I am," replied Willie; "feel me."

"Come on, then; let's go a