"You're a brick, sir!" His voice was a mellow contrast to the other's.
"My friends, this gentleman has suggested that we pass the hat for our
poor friend Klotz."
"I didn't neither," protested the benefactor. "Leastways----"
But the woman of the shoulders cut him short by placing two shillings
beside him. It was tactful of her, a kindly thing to do, and again I
was amazed. There was a womanly, motherly look about her as she turned
away, and her eyes were radiant like stars in a mist.
I think I gave ten bob--it must have been a considerable amount, for
the girl who would have been pretty if she hadn't rouged looked
straight into my eyes and said something that sounded like a blessing.
I hope it was; she made me think of a little sister I once had.
And then we were walking together again in the street, and the crowds
were thinner than before. I cannot remember what we talked of, but I
know I said to him, "Where did you learn to play like that?"