coldly.

"Or anything warm," persisted Chester, as the child opened her eyes
with a famished look.

"You can get wine at the station-house. My girls are in bed."

"I am afraid she will have small hopes of help at the station-house.
The Common Council make no provision for medical aid where the sick
or starving are brought in at night. It is a great omission, sir."

"The Common Council cannot do everything," replied the Mayor, becoming
impatient, but still subduing himself.

"I know sir, but its first duty is to the poor."

"Oh, yes, no one denies that;" replied the Mayor, observing with
satisfaction that Chester was preparing to remove the little intruder.
"You will not have a very long walk," he added. "The station-house
is not more than eight or ten blocks off. She will be strong enough,
I fancy, to get so far."

"Don't, don't take me there! I am not a thief!" murmured the child,
and two great tears rolled over her cheek slowly, as if the fire-light
had with difficulty thawed them out from her heart.

They were answered--God bless the policeman--they were answered by
a whole gush of tears that sprang into his fine eyes, and sparkled
there like so many diamonds.