midday
After walking about for some time she began timidly ringing the area bells of houses where the steps had not yet been cleaned , and asking if a girl was wanted to do them . Almost invariably she was sent away with an emphatic `` No ! '' from a servant angry at being disturbed ; but twice again during that day she received a penny for step-cleaning , so that she had earned threepence . After midday , finding she could get no more work , and feeling faint with hunger , she bought a penny loaf , and going to a shelter facing the fountains in Kensington Gardens , made her modest dinner , and rested afterwards until it was time to return to Dudley Grove . In the evening as she sat by the fire after tea she gave an account of her success , and exhibited the two remaining pence , offering them to the poor woman who had sheltered her . She only shook her head . `` You 'll maybe want something to eat to-morrow , '' she said ; and presently continued , `` Step-cleaning ai n't no good .