y,' said Peter, 'we have gone a long way from home now, and baby is
asleep and resting nicely on my knee; my arm won't ache a bit when she
wakes, and I'll be able to carry her a splendid long way. We'll have to
think of making up our plans, Floss--we'll have to find some place where
we can all sleep comfortably to-night.'

'Well, we've got sixpence,' said Flossy, 'that's lots and lots of money;
but the night is a long way off, Peter, and I'm so hungry. I've eaten up
all the crusts that you and Snip-snap left for me, but I'm still as
hungry as possible. Mightn't I spend a halfpenny or so of our sixpence
in getting a good dinner for you and me and Snip-snap?'

Peter put his hand to his brow, and began to reflect.

'I don't think so, Floss,' he said, 'for I'm afraid you don't understand
marketing--it's best for me to go, for I'm quite old, and I know the way
mother talks to the baker's man and the milkman when they come to the
door. I must be sharp with them, Floss; that's what I must be, and I
don't think you could be; so you had better hold the baby while I fetch
our dinner. Oh dear, what a good thing it is I have got sixpence!'

The baby, being very sound asleep, was transferred to Flossy's arms
without waking, Snip-snap was left in charge of the two, and Peter, who
knew very little more of London and London life than his little sister,
started off manfully to the eating-house round the corner. He had gone
away with a bright face, but he returned in a very short time with one
singularly depressed.

'Here's a bit of stale bread for each of us,' he said, 'and I had to give
two halfpennies for that. I did see such a nice piece of beef and of
pudding, and I ordered some for you and me and Snip-snap, but the woman
said all that much would cost three sixpences, so then I had to say I
wouldn't have it; and I took the stale bread, and she was very cross. O
Floss, I hope I'm right about sixpence; I hope it will buy a bed for
baby, and milk and food for us all, for I'm thinking we had much better
none of us go back to-night.'

'Of course, we won't go back,' said Flossie. 'The stale bread's
'licious, and I'm so hungry. O Peter, do look! Dickory is stretching
herself, and rubbing her little fat hands into her eyes; and I know she's
going to wake, and I'm afraid she'll cry.'

'Give her to me,' said Peter, with the air of a practised nurse. 'I'll
hold her, and you can feed me while I'm doing so, Flossy.'

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