The Waterbabies: Chapter 1.
Once upon a time there was a little chimney-sweep, and his name was Tom. He lived in a great town in the North country, where there were plenty of chimneys to sweep, and plenty of money for Tom to earn and his master to spend.
He could not read nor write, and did not care to do either; and he never washed himself, for there was no water up the court where he lived.
He cried half his time when he had to climb up the dark flues, rubbing his poor knees and elbows raw; and when the soot got into his eyes, or when his master Mr. Grimes beat him or when he had not enough to eat which happened every day of the week.
And he laughed the other half of the day, when he was tossing halfpennies with the other boys, or playing leap frog over the post, or bowling stones at the horses legs as they trotted by. Which was excellent fun, when there was a wall at hand behind which to hide.
[All illustrations from various editions of the Waterbabies including: Steedman, John and Westbrook]
