# Her Benny

HER BENNY
For a moment the children looked at each other in blank dismay.
HER BENNY
by
SILAS K. HOCKING, F.R.H.S.
Author of "Ivy," "Real Grit," &c., &c.
The man put three moderate-sized potatoes into Benny's outstretched palms.—Page 8.
LONDON & NEW YORK
FREDERICK WARNE AND CO.
1890
PREFACE
TO THIS EDITION.
The Publishers have decided to array Benny in new and more expensive attire. For at least ten years he has worn the same suit of clothes. A suit which has become him very well, and in which he has received a hearty welcome in myriads of English homes, and in homes beyond the sea. Now that he appears in finer dress I hope his welcome will be none the less hearty, and that he will continue to play some humble part in winning sympathy and help for the waifs and strays of our streets.
SILAS K. HOCKING.
Southport, April, 1890.
PREFACE
TO THE ORIGINAL EDITION.
My pastoral work, during a three years' residence in Liverpool, called me frequently into some of the poorest neighbourhoods of that city, where I became acquainted ​with most of the originals of this story. It was not until I had seen the little Arabs of the streets in their homes—if such haunts of wretchedness be worthy the name—that I felt that interest in, and sympathy for them, which I have experienced ever since. Getting to know them in their homes, I was glad to stop and speak to them in the streets, and give them a word of sympathy and encouragement. They are not all bad, as many people seem to think. Many of them try hard to earn an honest living, though they find it a difficult matter, especially when at home they receive no encouragement, while in the streets temptation is being continually put in their way by those of whom "Perks" so justly complained.
The grouping of the characters that figure in the story is purely fictitious, but not the characters themselves. Benny and little Nell, Perks and Joe Wrag, Granny and Eva Lawrence, are drawn from life. I knew them well. Some of them are alive to-day, others have gone to their rest.
For the interest my little story has awakened in both old and young, in its serial form, I am rejoiced and thankful; and if, in the more permanent and attractive style it now assumes, it shall awaken any sympathy for the poor little waifs of our streets, I shall have my reward.
SILAS K. HOCKING.
October 21st, 1879.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIV.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
* For a moment the children looked at each other in blank dismay................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Frontispiece.
* The man put three moderate -sized potatoes into Benny's outstretched palms................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Title-page.
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page 01
* "Carry yer bag, sir?" he said ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 04
* Evidently glad that he was so near laying down his burden................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 06
* Joe moved aside to make room, for the little waifs................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 09
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 12
* They paused for a moment and listened................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 15
* "Now out of the way, you brats" was her greeting................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 17
* The frightened children came out and stood before him ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 18
* Benny put his arm around his little sister................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 21
* Benny was able to reach the cupboard without difficulty................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 22
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„24
* They watched his rugged face with the firelight playing upon it................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 40
* The old woman gave them a rough though kindly welcome................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 42
* And thus he mused hour after hour................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„47
* Dick Bates wandered along the long line of docks................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 49
* Many a gentleman would put a penny into the little thin hand................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 53
* The children listened with wide-open and wondering eyes................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 57
* Benny sat as if transfixed................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 70
* Joe would come into the hut and take her upon his knee................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 79
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 85
* A hand was laid upon his arm with a firm grip................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 93
* "If you plaise, Mr, God, I's very sorry I tried to stole"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 95
* And amid loud hurrahs came first into the goal................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 107
* "Oh, lor'! I thought that wur the 'ouse the Queen lived in"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 113
* He knelt on the cold flags and looked up into the silent heavens................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 116
* The little wasted arms were twined about his neck................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 119
* Drew down his weather-beaten wrinkled face and kissed him................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 125
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 181
* The gentleman did not heed his tears or his pleading voice................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 135
* "I want to ask a favour," said Eva................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 141
* Looking up, he saw his little benefactress................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 150
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 156
* Be went on to tell all the circumstances................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 163
* He walked along by the officer's side with the calmness of despair settling down upon his heart................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 167
* "We are all God's children, an' He loves us all"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Page„ 179
* "I'm not a thief, sir, if you'll on'y believe it; I'm not, really"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 185
* He was greeted with a shout and a howl................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 203
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 210
* Laid gently in a clean soft bed, in a cool pleasant room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„219
* He lifted his white scared face to Mrs, Fisher................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 226
* Initial................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 234
* "You're hurt, I'm sure you are; tell me what's the matter"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 241
* When the song was finished, Eva swung herself round on the music-stool................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 256
* "Mr. Lawrence!" said Benny, in a tone of surprise................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 272
* Kneeling by the little grave, he offered up a silent prayer................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................page„ 279
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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