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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 Excerpt:... the worst streets. Susie Davis did not stop, only wished her good night, whistled to Nettle to follow her, and was soon lost sight of in the gloom. Women were lounging about, or sitting on the door steps to catch a breath of air, if that were possible such a hot sultry evening. Ellen took no notice of them, but plunged into the dark passage, leaving Josey to follow as best he could. His heart beat a good deal as he groped along in the dark. He kept quite close to Ellen, so close that once or twice he trod on her heels, and nearly tumbled over her. Presently she said, "Here's the stairs, but mind you follow me; here, catch hold of my apron, or you may fall down the cellar stairs. Now turn sharp round, that is it, you're all safe; go on till I tell you to stop. Now two more steps, and now turn again; that's right, it's all the same over and over again till you get to the top, only don't hold on by the bannisters, they're rotten, they won't bear nothing." It seemed to Josey as if they never should reach the top floor of the house; but they did at last, and then Ellen opened a door and went into a room, inviting Josey to come in as well. It looked wretched and comfortless enough. The only furniture in it was a deal table and three or four rickety rush-bottomed chairs. Across the window was hung part of an old checked shirt instead of a blind or shutter. Most of the panes of glass in the window were broken and gone, and straw and rags were stuffed in instead. There were two cupboards, one on each side of the fire-place. They were both open, the doors having long ago been torn off by former lodgers, and burned for firewood. In one corner, on a heap of shavings and straw, with a threadbare blanket and ragged sheets, was lying a poor sick man, Ellen Apse...