‘Try another house in the square if you must, but please keep away from the Wilkins family or I’ll lose me job. After all, it’s not as if you’re bringing any money into our house, is it? Mum has to depend on us kids to keep food on the table.’ ‘Ungrateful child!’ Arthur’s voice boomed out across the square, sending a host of sparrows chattering up into the trees. ‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.’ Eliza laid her hand on his arm, speaking in what she hoped was a soothing voice. ‘Is that from the Bible, Mr Little?’ Arthur beamed at her. ‘Shakespeare, my dear Eliza. King Lear if I remember right. I was an educated man until the drink done for me. I was destined to be a lawyer’s clerk, but I got into bad company and bad habits and I had to find menial work on the river. But now I’ve seen the light and I’m joining the army of God along with Mr Booth. I repent of my sins. I am a changed man.’ Striding off down the street, Arthur announced his conversion to passers-by and the world at large, getting some very funny looks, so Eliza thought.
