"But I'll see my girl.

I've waited hyur, runnin' the resk,--not darin' to see her, on 'count o' yoh.

I thort I was safe on Christmas-day,--but what's Christmas to yoh or me ?" Holmes's quiet motion drove him up the steps before him.

He stopped at the top, his cowardly nature getting the better of him, and sat down whining on the upper step.
"Be marciful, Mas'r! I wanted to see my girl,--that's all.

She's all I hev." Holmes passed him and went in.