We quickened our steps to meet him.

The knot of roughs who were following us looked on this as a rout, and set up a yell of defiance.

Others, seeing us walking rapidly away, joined in the demonstration, and one or two, not content with following us with their voices, followed us with stones.
Just as we came up to the clergyman a stone intended for one of us whizzed past my ear, and struck him on the cheek.

He never moved a muscle, or even looked to see where it came from, but walked on to meet us.
"Oh! sir," said Jack, stepping forward, "we're so glad to meet you.
We're looking for a little boy called Billy, who lives in this court, who generally comes to our ragged school, but wasn't there this evening.
He's a shoeblack.

Do you know where he lives ?" "I wish I could tell you," said the clergyman, "but this is my first visit here.