We look in the various doorways and see in each case the same sort of staircase and the same unclean desolation.
Who would believe that Adullam Street is a veritable Tom Tiddler's Ground?
Would any one believe that a colony of the submerged could prove a source of wealth?
Let us count the houses on both sides of the street.

Forty-five houses! Leave out the two "general" shops, the greengrocer's and the "off licence"; leave out also the one where the agent and collector lives, that leaves us forty-one houses of nine rooms let out as furnished apartments.
If let to married couples that means a population of seven hundred and thirty-eight, if all the rooms are occupied, and supposing that no couple occupies more than one room.

As for the children--but we dare not think of them--we realise the advantage of the open street of which we freely grant them the freehold.

But we make the acquaintance of a tenant and ask some questions.

We find that she has two children, that they have but one furnished room, for which they pay seven shillings and sixpence weekly in advance! Always in advance! She further tells us that their room is one of the best and largest; it faces the street, and is on the first floor.