Blade-O'-Grass. Golden Grain. and Bread and Cheese and Kisses.

by B. L. (Benjamin Leopold) Farjeon

"Blade-O'-Grass, Golden Grain, and Bread and Cheese and Kisses" by B. L. Farjeon is a work of fiction written in the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds in a grim part of London known as Stoney-alley, where the lives of its impoverished inhabitants serve as a backdrop for themes of neglect, survival, and the quest for compassion. Initially, we are introduced to the contrasting fates of twin girls born in dire circumstances, with one being taken in by caring hands while the other, Blade-o'-Grass, is left to fend for herself in a harsh environment. The opening of the story establishes the setting and introduces us to Blade-o'-Grass after the birth of her twin sister. As the mother of the twins dies shortly after childbirth, the community's reluctance to take responsibility for the abandoned infant leads to a series of desperate and informal fundraising efforts for the orphans. We witness the struggle between neglect and charity as the characters navigate their own hardships while trying to help the helpless. Blade-o'-Grass' young life symbolizes the struggle of the forgotten as she grow up largely ignored and uncared for, setting the stage for her future encounters and battles for survival in an unforgiving world.