Yet she responded instantly with the quick wit of a clever woman.
"I had my foot on the step, tying my shoe," she explained simply.

"You don't arrest people for that, do you ?" It was plain enough the officer was puzzled, yet he reluctantly released his grip on my arm, boring the end of his club into the brick wall.
"It's half Oi' belave yer stringin' me roight now," he announced doubtfully, "but Oi 'll give yer ther benefit ov' the doubt; only the two ov' yer better kape on a-goin' till yer git under cover.

Don't let me run across yer along this beat agin ternight.

Be gory av yer do, Oi 'll let yer explain to ther sargint over at ther station.

Go on now!" I felt her hand touch my sleeve timidly, and caught a swift glimpse of her eyes.