charity-boy

Straw, a little wiry Sergeant of meek demeanour and strong sense, would knock at a door and ask a series of questions in any mild character you choose to prescribe to him, from a charity-boy upwards, and seem as innocent as an infant.

Reprinted Pieces 2007

When the frightful act had been performed, Otto, who entered the little chamber in the tower ringleted like Apollo, issued from it as cropped as a charity-boy.

Burlesques 2006

The head charity-boy blows the bellows; the master canes the other boys in the organ-loft; the clerk sings out Amen from the desk; and the beadle with the staff opens the door for his Reverence, who rustles in silk up to the cushion.

The History of Pendennis 2006

When the frightful act had been performed, Otto, who entered the little chamber in the tower ringleted like Apollo, issued from it as cropped as a charity-boy.

A Legend of the Rhine 2006

The charity-boy with the hoop is the son of the jolly-looking mute; he admires his father, who admires himself too, in those bran-new sables.

Our Street 2006

And still further away, the long low body of the church of Gouda, the early home of the man whose wit had proved mightier than the armies of many an emperor, the charity-boy whom the world came to know as Erasmus.

The Story of Mankind 1921

He would give a little contemptuous curve to his lip, and take on a shy, charity-boy grin, when refinement was thrust upon him.

England, My England 1907

It had something of the charity-boy about it still; but now it was a man's figure, laconic, charged with plebeian energy.

England, My England 1907

So the very moral and the very true are not for the statesman but for the charity-boy.

Principles of Freedom 1899

The Professors perhaps regarded him as a sort of charity-boy, and Twybridge possibly saw him in the same light.

Born in Exile George Gissing 1880