VII THE FANTASTICS Downstream from The Pool, a little way below Shadwell, an uncouth row of dilapidated dwellings in those days stoodor, better, squatted, like a mute company of draggletail cronesatop a river-wall whose ancient blocks, all ropy with the slime of centuries, peered dimly out through groups of crazy spiles at the restless pageant of Thames-life.

Their names were: Moll and Bet, and Doll and Kate, and Dorothy Draggletail; John and Dick, and Joe and Jack, and Humphrey with his flail.

His fly is working through the mud in Draggletail Lane.