When I was a-shinin' of 'em, if the sole of one on 'em don't come clean off!" he cried, with a grin.
"I don't see anything so very amusing in that," I replied.
"He's gone off to get 'em sewed on," continued the boy, beaming all over; "and he's a-coming back this way to show me.

Bless you, they'll never sew that there sole on.

The upper wouldn't hold it--you see if it does." "He will have to get a new pair," I said.
"Why, he ain't _got_ the browns.

He's a-saving up, but it'll be a month afore he's got the brass." Here Billy positively laughed, so that I felt strongly inclined to give him a box on the ear for his levity.
"And it's been a-rainin' all day," continued he, jocularly "and the streets is all one marsh of muck." "Poor fellow!" said I.

"I wish I could lend him a pair of mine." "Ga on!" cried Billy, scornfully, dropping on his knees before his box.
"I say, guv'nor," said he, in a sudden mysterious tone, "can you keep it mum ?" "Yes--what ?" I asked.
He looked carefully up the street and then down, and then all round.