Silas K. Hocking

“ And again came the words, in a choking voice, "My poor Benny!"
"I didna think it war so very wicked, seein' as you is so ill, Nelly. Is you very mad at me, Nell?"
"I's not mad, Benny, but I's sorry—oh, so sorry! I did not think——"
But here she broke off abruptly: she would utter no word of reproach, for she knew it was all out of love for her.
That evening she could eat no supper. Benny knew the reason and did not press her, but her silent grief nearly broke his heart. He would rather suffer anything himself than see his sister suffer. ”

“ Perks was not so big as Benny, though he was two or three years older. He was a strange-looking lad. A great shock of fiery red hair made hat or cap totally unnecessary. His face was plain, looked at under any circumstances, but a look of low cunning made it at times appear almost repulsive.
Perks was no friend of Benny's, who rarely took the trouble to reply when addressed by him. Benny knew that he was not honest. He never sold matches, and rarely carried parcels, and yet he had generally plenty of coppers at his disposal, and wore better clothes than any of the street lads. ”

“ And off Perks darted like the wind. Benny did not Yait to see how he succeeded in his undertaking. The poisonous seed had taken root in the soil that had been prepared for its reception, and Benny hurried away to the hosier's shop, alas! already a thief in heart, if not in fiction, for he had made up his mind to take the cross-over if anything like a favourable opportunity presented itself.
"I's not to blame for takin' things," he said, using Perks's words, "if people puts 'em right in one's way." ”