To London Town by Arthur Morrison

THE longed-for holiday came with a fine Monday morning, and Bessy, in a muslin frock that her mother had helped to make for the occasion, was impatient, an hour too soon, because Johnny lingered in bed; enjoying the luxury of "losing a quarter" without paying the penalty.

But Johnny was ready for breakfast before eight, and, seeing the shop-door open, ran to take down the shutters, a thing his mother commonly did herself, because of his absence at work. "I always put 'em up, and for once I'll take 'em down," he said, prancing in with the first. "Look out, mother, or I'll bowl you over!"