The small form in the bottom bunk was breathing irregularly. Swifty the Rake had been assigned to look after him, and he was worried. The boy had been in the lodging house for five days now, and he hadn't stopped bleeding. It had slowed down a lot, but it hadn't stopped, and Swifty had to change his bandages every four to five hours.

The walking mouth had found him, exhausted and bleeding, and had only just managed to catch him as he slumped to the ground. Someone had beaten this little kid to a pulp, and once the boys found out who, they would pay for it dearly. No matter who they were.

At least the boy would wake up every now and then. (Kloppman, who watched him during the day, kept the other boys updated.)

Sixteen days later:

As soon as Swifty had returned to the lodging house, Kloppman stopped him and smiled at him.

"Harrison is awake, and no longer bleeding," he said softly. "He even walked a few yards."

"Who's Harrison?" Swifty asked, confused. Then it dawned on him, and a huge grin spread across his face as he ran upstairs.

The boy - Harrison - was sitting in a chair and talking with Boots.

"Hey Boots!" Swifty greeted cheerfully before turning towards Harrison.

"I see you are doing much better," he remarked in a friendly tone. The boy didnt reply; he just smiled coldly and nodded.

And that's when Swifty saw it; Harrison wasn't scared, not even a little anxious. Swifty remembered that when He first got in the lodging house, he was scared shitless. And every newcomer after him had been the same, but not this kid.

And before he knew it he had asked.
"Why aren't you afraid?"

"A result of the beating, I guess," Harrison answered. "I should be afraid of all of you, but I aint." But don't worry," he said quickly. ''I am still angry at whoever did this to me, and I am still thankful for all of you guys.''

That's when Mister Kloppman hollered, ''Boys! Dinnertime! And bring Harrison with you."

''Do you think you'ill be able to keep it down?'' Boots asked the boy, frowning.

''Tá, Seo linn!'' Harrison said, as he stood up. Seeing the confusion on the faces of the other boys, he explained, "That means yes. Let's go!"

Dinner was very loud as always. Harrison, who was left handed, had trouble holding his knife as he only had three fingers. One of the boys helped him secure the knife to his hand with a rubber band.

''Three Left'' Kid Blink said out of nowhere.
''We are going to call you Three Left!''

The other boys cheered so loudly that Mr Kloppman came in to see what was happening.

''Go raibh maith agaibh'' Harrison said before he took another bite.

The room fell silent and he looked up. ''It means thank you," he said with a smile.

''You'ill be starting work tomorrow.'' Swifty said. ''We'ill be selling partners, you and me.''

the next morning:

mr Andrews of the distribution centre greeted him with a smile.

''welcome young man, how do they call you? I am mister Andrews.''

''i am Three Left.'' Harrison said while putting half a dollar down. ''what can i get for this?'' he asked.

''throw in ten more pence, and you'ill get hundred papes.''

Harrison grabbed his coin and turned around when Jack stopped him. Showing him two five pence coins.

''pay me back when you can.'' he whispered.

A few minutes later Swifty and Three Left, walked to their spot.

Around 11:00 they entered Tibby's.

''Hey Three Left, how did you're first day go?''

Boots asked.

''chuaigh sé go maith''the boy awnsered smiling

From ear to ear.

None of them needed a translation, it went very well.

Newsies came and left. After a few hours they went back to the distribution centre, for the evening edition.

As they returned to the lodging house after a disapointing late afternoon of very few sales and no profit to speak of. Harrison sat down for diner in a sour mood.

''Chuaigh sé Uafásach!'' he grumbled ''bad sale?'' Tumbler asked softly. he didn't like the irish boy at all, since he himself was brittish, and the feeling was mutual. Still they were both under the same banner, and they would give the other the shirt of their back if they needed to.

''We made next to nothing tonight.'' Three Left said

''and i am still in debt with mister Kelly, how am i goin' to pay for me lodging? Or me supper?'' he said on the verge of tears.

''First of, he's called Jack, and he told you to pay him back when you can. As long as you are honest about it, you'ill be fine.''

after this Tumbler hugged him and went back to his seat

''I thought you didnt like him.'' Skittery said.

''I dont'' Tumbler said. ''But he needed a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, he's still a newsie you know.''

Skittery hugged him ''I am so proud of you'' he said.

After supper most of the older boys went to thier usual card and dice games.

The younger ones played marbles except for boots who loved reading.

And after a long tiring day Harrison was happy to be in bed, and he was asleep almost instantly.

At 01:00 he awoke from a nightmare to Swifty gently shaking him within two minutes he was sleeping a dreamless sleep.

The next morning he awoke, well rested. For the first time since he got to the lodging house, he wasn't sore.

It was a cold morning, but Harrison didn't mind. At least it wasn't raining. he was happy, despite everything. And after taking a deep breath, he walked happily whistling, toward the distribution centre.

Today was going to be a great day. He just knew it would.