"God bless my soul!" said the man. "People say there's a God!" he
added.

"I think there must be, sir, for you came by just then!" returned
Clare.

"How do you come to be so hard-up, my boy? Somebody's to blame
somewheres!"

"There ain't no harm in being hungry, so long as the loaf comes!"
rejoined Clare. "When I get work we shall be all right!"

"That's your sort!" said the man. "But if there had been a God, as
people say, he would ha' made me fit to gi'e you a job, i'stead o'
stan'in' here as you see me, with ne'er a turn o' work to do for
myself!"

"I'll work my hardest to pay you back your sixpence," said Clare.

"Nay, nay, lad! Don't you trouble about that. I ha' got two or three
more i' my pocket, thank God!"

"You have two Gods, have you, sir?" said Clare;"--one who does things
for you, and one who don't?"

"Come, you young shaver! you're too much for me!" said the man
laughing.

Tommy, having finished his bread, here thought fit to join them. He