Spoken by Irene:

The little boy stood with huge dark eyes
Licking his lips and heaving a sigh
The most gorgeous cakes were on display
Most of which never passed his way

He was a sorry picture standing there
With grimy little face and uncombed hair
His trousers high above his ankle bone
And a jacket that was long outgrown

He hunched his shoulders and shuffled away
With one last look at that tempting array
He lived with his father, an evil man
With a vicious temper and heavy hand

With sickened heart he trudged on home
Like hundreds of times cold to the bone
He knew his father would beat him blue
And one day kill him before he was through

His face looked wan as he opened the door
But all was quiet like never before
Old Mrs Higgins from down the street
Put her arm round him saying, there sweet

Your father died, they took him away
They'll find somewhere nice for you to stay
"I'll get no more hidings now father's dead
Where shall I live?" the little boy said