Leslie and Sylvia having tramped until midnight found themselves weary and footsore at London.

"I can't afford very good lodgings" said Leslie "my money must last until I get employment.

"Where shall we go then?" said Sylvia.

"To some common lodging house" said Leslie "you see you have clean sheets if they are needful—ah there is the lodging house."

So he and Sylvia approached a filthy house at the end of a narrow street, Leslie knocked at the door and after waiting 10 minutes a dirty old woman with a candle in her hand, opened the door.

"What is it you want? she said, "disturbing me this time of night!"

"We have come for a lodging" said our hero "how much would it be?"

"4d a night single" said the old woman "and 2d extra if you want a drop of water to wash with."

Leslie's heart sank within him at these words but he felt bound to accept saying "I hope the beds and the water are clean."

"Clean enough I'm sure" said the old woman "considering they have only been used a few times." so saying she led them up a rickety stair case into a shabby little room.

"The bed ain't made yet said Old Nan pointing to a heap of rags in the corner.

"Thank you" said Leslie and locking the door he turned to Sylvia who by this time was wandering hopelessly about the filthy garret.

"We'll make the bed anyhow" said Leslie "get out your sheets Sylvia."

She obeyed and Leslie kneeling on the floor began to sort out the rags. He found an old blanket which being a shade cleaner than the others he laid upon the floor covering it with a clean sheet; then stuffing his jacket inside the pillow case he made it into a pillow, he then laid another sheet over that and covered it with his and Sylvia's overcoats, he pronounced the bed made.

"How very dreadful!" gasped Sylvia "I can not sleep upon that bed."

"You must" said Leslie throwing open the window to air the room.

The next morning Leslie, who had sat by the open window all night began to collect the bed clothes and turning to Sylvia said "we will get out of this as soon as ever we can."

Then finding a drop of filthy water in a cracked basin he proceeded to wash his face and hands, though Sylvia said she would rather go dirty than use such water.

Just then Old Nan entred and looking round said "well now I hope you have had a pleasant night."

"Oh very" stammered poor Leslie.

"I think we are going now, if you will tell me what it comes to."

"Well let me see" said Old Nan

"2 beds and 2 washes—

"But I didn't wash" said Sylvia

"And I didn't go to bed" said Leslie

"Then it will be 6d growled Old Nan. and after paying their landlady Leslie and Sylvia fled for their lives.