her hair was the colour of a new penny.

"W'y, I don't believe yer 'air is red," said Chook, coming nearer.

"Now then, keep yer 'ands to yerself," cried the girl, giving him a
vigorous push. Before he could repeat his attack, she walked away to
join Ada, who hailed her shrilly.

Jonah rejoined his mate in gloomy silence. The Push had scattered--some
to the two-up school, some to the dance-room. The butcher's flare of
lights shone with a desolate air on piles of bones and scraps of meat--the
debris of battle. The greengrocer's was stripped bare to the shelves,
as if an army of locusts had marched through with ravenous tooth.

"Comin' down the street?" asked Chook, feeling absently in his pockets.

"No," said Jonah.

"W'y, wot's up now?" inquired Chook in surprise.

"Oh, nuthin'; but I'm goin' ter sleep at Ada's tonight," replied Jonah,
staring at the shops.

"'Strewth!" cried Chook, looking at him in wonder. "Wot's the game now?"

"Oh! the old woman wants me ter put in the night there. Says some blokes
'ave bin after 'er fowls," replied Jonah, hesitating like a boy inventing
an excuse.

"Fowls!" cried Chook, with infinite scorn. "Wants yer to nuss the