He'll have his dinner as soon as he gets home." "Oh, let me give him just a little piece," said Millicent.
"No: you're to eat it all," said Pollyooly firmly.
Most children of three would have burst into a roar on hearing this cruel prohibition.

The placidity of the Lump was proof even against so severe a blow.

He merely went on his way with a saddened air.
Millicent ate the rest of the bun with eager thankfulness, brightening a little as the food heartened her.
They went down Villiers Street to the safe stretch of the embankment; and then Pollyooly, her brow knitted in a thoughtful frown, began to talk of Millicent's plight.

The workhouse was so burning a subject that she could not wait to discuss it at home.
"You can't go to the workhouse; you can't really," she said.

"If you could stay with us for a little while, you might find something to do.
But it's for Mr.Ruffin to say whether you can stay with us.