No one here can blame the superintendent; it would have been impossible for him to break through the rule which prevented all but regular and diligent scholars attending the school feast; nevertheless the little heap of rags and tatters, seated on the doorstep, felt very bitter, and very sore at heart. Honesty was not the best policy; he would never be honest again. He regretted bitterly, standing as he had done so close to those well-filled tables, that he had not helped himself to some of their stores. After a time, with his ceaseless cough, empty stomach, and unsold papers, he moved listlessly on farther west. Once again he raised his cry-- "Mornin' pay--_par-s_--pay--_par-s_," but his voice was tired and feeble, and he soon ceased to trouble himself to do anything but watch his opportunity for theft. It had been fine and bright in the morning, but now the sky was overcast, and fresh snow began to fall. This added much to Robin's discomfort; it lay white on his jacket, and melted into his ragged trousers. He crept slowly and painfully down the Strand, pressing his face against the window-pane of each restaurant as he passed. How delicious looked the hot and fragrant food! How exasperating the smell that came out to greet his hungry nostrils! He eagerly watched the groups of fur-clad women and top-coated men partaking of rich soups and luscious wines. So hungry was he, that he would have gone down on his knees for the crumbs they left behind them. He felt very bitter against these well-dressed people, who were all too busy, too happy, too rich, to give him a thought; but his bitterest and sorest feelings were directed against the children, ragged like himself, who at the school feast were having enough and to spare. The very fact of their being dressed as badly as himself, and yet be shut out from their privileges, raised the sorest feelings in his little breast. He did not know what a "schollard" meant, but he did know what rags meant, and he and they were alike in rags and tatters. After a time he left the restaurants, feeling that if he viewed what was going on within much longer, he should certainly be tempted to do some desperate deed.