Old
Oliver had to get himself into his drab overcoat, and the ailing child
had to be protected in the best way they could against the searching
wind. After they had put on all her own warmest clothing, Tony wrapped
his own thick blue jacket about her, and lifting her very tenderly in his
arms, they turned out into the streets, closely followed by Beppo.
It was now quite night, but the streets were well lighted from the shop
windows, and throngs of people were hurrying hither and thither; for it
was boxing-night, and all the lower classes of the inhabitants were
taking holiday. But old Oliver saw and heard nothing of the crowd. He
walked on by Tony's side; with feeble and tottering steps, deaf and
blind, but whispering all the while, with trembling lips, to One whom no
one else could see or hear. Once or twice Tony saw a solemn smile flit
across his face, and he nodded his head and raised his hand, as one who
gives his assent to what is said to him. So they passed on through the
noisy streets till they reached quieter ones, were there were neither
shops nor many passers-by, and there they found the home where they were
going to leave their treasure for a time.
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