By and by ladies would be going home from the Academy exhibition, and then there would be a chance of a job.
"Though, to be sure," said Diamond's father--with what truth I cannot say, but he believed what he said--"some ladies is very hard, and keeps you to the bare sixpence a mile, when every one knows that ain't enough to keep a family and a cab upon.

To be sure it's the law; but mayhap they may get more law than they like some day themselves." As it was very hot, Diamond's father got down to have a glass of beer himself, and give another to the old waterman.

He left Diamond on the box.
A sudden noise got up, and Diamond looked round to see what was the matter.
There was a crossing near the cab-stand, where a girl was sweeping.

Some rough young imps had picked a quarrel with her, and were now hauling at her broom to get it away from her.

But as they did not pull all together, she was holding it against them, scolding and entreating alternately.
Diamond was off his box in a moment, and running to the help of the girl.