The Painter's Honeymoon

We made a pause at the toy shop in Fleet Street, to see the giants of Saint Dunstan's strike upon the bells - we had timed our going, so as to catch them at it, at twelve o'clock - and then went on towards Ludgate Hill, and St. Paul's Churchyard. We were crossing to the former place, when I found that my aunt greatly accelerated her speed, and looked frightened. I observed, at the same time, that a lowering ill-dressed man who had stopped and stared at us in passing,
little before, was coming so close after us as to brush against her. ¡¡¡¡'Trot! My dear Trot!' cried my aunt, in a terrified whisper, and pressing my arm. 'I don't know what I am to do.' ¡¡¡¡'Don't be alarmed,' said I. 'There's nothing to be afraid of. Step into a shop, and I'll soon get rid of this fellow.' ¡¡¡¡'No, no, child!' she returned. 'Don't speak to him for the world. I entreat, I order you!' ¡¡¡¡'Good Heaven, aunt!' said I. 'He is nothing but a sturdy beggar.'