By such petty behaviour he had long ago put himself on an equality with the young rascals generally, and he was no match for them on their own level.
Curly left the shop at once, and went round by the close into the garden, where he found Annie loitering up and down with the baby in her arms, and looking very weary.

This was in fact the first time she had had to carry the baby, and it fatigued her dreadfully.

Till now Mrs Bruce had had the assistance of a ragged child, whose father owed them money for groceries: he could not pay it, and they had taken his daughter instead.

Long ago, however, she had slaved it out, and had at length gone back to school.

The sun was hot, the baby was heavy, and Annie felt all arms and back--they were aching so with the unaccustomed drudgery.