? ? ? ? The Englishman looked curiously at the faces of the boys who in turn were examining him with equal interest.
? ? ? ? "They are not unlike our boys of a similar grade, but seem sharper and more intelligent" he said. "But surely," pointing to Rodney, "that boy is not one of the--Arabs. Why, he looks like a young gentleman."
? ? ? ? "He is a new comer. He only appeared tonight."
? ? ? ? "He must have a history. May I speak with him?"
? ? ? ? "By all means. Rodney, this gentleman would like to talk with you."
? ? ? ? Rodney came forward with the ease of a boy who was accustomed to good society, and said: "I shall be very happy to speak with him."
? ? ? ? "Surely," said the Englishman, "you were not brought up in the street?"
? ? ? ? "Oh, no," answered Rodney, "I was more fortunate."
? ? ? ? "Then how does it happen that I find you here--among the needy boys of the city?"
? ? ? ? "Because I am needy, too."
? ? ? ? "But you were not always poor?"
? ? ? ? "No; I inherited a moderate fortune from my father.
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