"Though, to be sure," said Diamond's father -- with what
truth I cannot say, but he believed what he said -- "some ladies
is very hard, and keeps you to the bare sixpence a mile, when
every one knows that ain't enough to keep a family and a cab
upon. To be sure it's the law; but mayhap they may get more law
than they like some day themselves."
As it was very hot, Diamond's father got down to have a
glass of beer himself, and give another to the old waterman. He
left Diamond on the box.
A sudden noise got up, and Diamond looked round to see what
was the matter.
There was a crossing near the cab-stand, where a girl was
sweeping. Some rough young imps had picked a quarrel with her,
and were now hauling at her broom to get it away from her. But
as they did not pull all together, she was holding it against
them, scolding and entreating alternately.
Diamond was off his box in a moment, and running to the
help of the girl. He got hold of the broom at her end and pulled
along with her. But the boys proceeded to rougher measures, and
one of them hit Diamond on the nose, and made it bleed; and as
he could not let go the broom to mind his nose, he was soon a
dreadful figure. But presently his father came back, and missing
Diamond, looked about.
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