When only a few paces distant, they paused, and with the evident intention of barring her farther progress.
"Good-afternoon, miss," said one of them, with a low bow.

"Can we do anything for you ?" The pale, frightened face of Edith was noticed by the other, and it touched some remnant of manhood not yet wholly extinguished.
"Let her alone, you miserable cuss!" he cried, and giving his drunken companion a shove, sent him staggering across the street.

This made the way clear, and Edith sprang forward, but she had gone only a few feet when she came face to face with another obstruction even more frightful, if possible, than the first.

A woman with a red, swollen visage, black eye, soiled, tattered, drunk, with arms wildly extended, came rushing up to her.

The child gave a scream.