At the Back of the North Wind Illustrated - online book

A Complete Illustrated children's fantasy book by George MacDonald.

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CHAPTER XIX
Diamond's Friends
O NE day when old Diamond was standing with his nose in his bag between Pall Mall and Cockspur Street, and his master was read­ing the newspaper on the box of his cab, which was the last of a good many in the row, little Diamond got down for a run, for his legs were getting cramped with sitting. And first of all he strolled with his hands in his pockets up to the crossing, where the girl and her broom were to be found in all weathers. Just as he was going to speak to her, a tall gentlemen stepped upon the crossing. He was pleased to find it so clean, for the streets were muddy, and he had nice boots on; so he put his hand in his pocket, and gave the girl a penny. But when she gave him a sweet smile in re­turn, and made him a pretty courtesy, he looked at her again, and said:
" Where do you live, my child?"
"Paradise Row," she answered; "next door to the Adam and Eve—down the area."
" Whom do you live with?" he asked.
" My wicked old grannie," she replied.
"You shouldn't call your grannie wicked," said the gentleman.
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