One day when their cab was waiting for a fare, Diamond jumped down to run a little and stretch his legs. He strolled up to the crossing where Nanny and her broom were to be found in all weathers. Just as he was going to speak to her a tall gentleman stepped upon the crossing. He was glad to find it clean and he gave the girl a penny. When she made him a courtesy, he looked at her again and said, "Where do you live, my child?" "Paradise Row," she answered. "Next door to the Adam and Eve--down the area." "Whom do you live with?" he asked. "My wicked old granny," she replied. "You should not call your granny wicked," said the gentleman. "But she is!" said Nanny. "If you don't believe me, you can come and take a look at her." The gentleman looked very grave at hearing her. It was not a nice way for a little girl to talk. He was turning away, when he saw the face of Diamond looking up into his own. "Please," said Diamond, "her granny is very cruel to her sometimes--and shuts her out in the streets at night if she happens to be late." "So, my little man. And what can you do?" asked the gentleman turning towards him. "Drive a cab," said Diamond proudly. "Anything else?" asked the gentleman smiling. "Take care of the baby," said Diamond; "clean father's boots and make him a bit of toast for his tea." "You are a useful little man," said the gentleman. "Can you read?" "No, but father and mother can and they are going to teach me soon." "Well, here is a penny for you, and when you learn to read, come to me and I will give you six-pence and a book with fine pictures in it." He gave Diamond a card with his address on it. "Thank you," said Diamond and put the card into his pocket. The gentleman walked away but he saw Diamond give the penny to Nanny and say, "I have a father and mother and little brother and you have nothing but a wicked old granny. You may have my penny." The girl put the penny in her pocket and Diamond asked, "Is she as cruel as ever?" "Just the same. But I get more coppers, so I can buy myself some food. She is so blind that she doesn't see that I do not eat her old scraps. I hide them in my pocket." "What do you want them for?" "To give to cripple Jim. His leg was broken when he was young, so he isn't good for much. But I love Jim. I always keep something for him." "Diamond! Diamond!" called his father, just then. So Diamond ran back and told him about the gentleman and showed him the card he had given him. "Why, it is not many doors from our stables!" cried his father looking at the address. "Take care of it, Diamond. One needs all the friends he can get in this world." "We've got many friends," said Diamond. "Haven't we? There's mother and the baby and old Diamond--and the man next door who drinks--and his wife and baby--and Mrs. Coleman and Miss Coleman--and--and a many!" His father just laughed and drove off. [Illustration: WITHIN A MONTH HE WAS ABLE TO SPELL OUT MOST OF THE VERSES FOR HIMSELF]