His feet, of course, were bare as well as his knees and legs.

But though they were dirty, red, and rough, they were nicely shaped little legs, and the feet were dainty.
The sunbeams he sought came down through the smoky air like a Jacob's ladder, and he stood at the foot of it like a little prodigal angel that wanted to go home again, but feared it was too much inclined for him to manage the ascent in the present condition of his wings.

But all he did want was to see in the light of heaven what the gutter had yielded him.

He held up his find in the radiance and regarded it admiringly.

It was a little earring of amethyst-coloured glass, and in the sun looked lovely.