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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of My Doggie and I, by R.M. Ballantyne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: My Doggie and I
+
+Author: R.M. Ballantyne
+
+Release Date: June 7, 2007 [EBook #21752]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MY DOGGIE AND I ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+MY DOGGIE AND I, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+EXPLAINS ITSELF.
+
+I possess a doggie--not a dog, observe, but a doggie.  If he had been a
+dog I would not have presumed to intrude him on your notice.  A dog is
+all very well in his way--one of the noblest of animals, I admit, and
+pre-eminently fitted to be the companion of man, for he has an
+affectionate nature, which man demands, and a forgiving disposition,
+which man needs--but a dog, with all his noble qualities, is not to be
+compared to a doggie.
+
+My doggie is unquestionably the most charming, and, in every way,
+delightful doggie that ever was born.  My sister has a baby, about which
+she raves in somewhat similar terms, but of course that is ridiculous,
+for her baby differs in no particular from ordinary babies, except,
+perhaps, in the matter of violent weeping, of which it is fond; whereas
+my doggie is unique, a perfectly beautiful and singular specimen of--of
+well, I won't say what, because my friends usually laugh at me when I
+say it, and I don't like to be laughed at.
+
+Freely admit that you don't at once perceive the finer qualities, either
+mental or physical, of my doggie, partly owing to the circumstance that
+he is shapeless and hairy.  The former quality is not prepossessing,
+while the latter tends to veil the amiable expression of his countenance
+and the lustre of his speaking eyes.  But as you come to know him he
+grows upon you; your feelings are touched, your affections stirred, and
+your love is finally evoked.  As he resembles a door-mat, or rather a
+scrap of very ragged door-mat, and has an amiable spirit, I have called
+him "Dumps."  I should not be surprised if you did not perceive any
+connection here.  You are not the first who has failed to see it; I
+never saw it myself.
+
+When I first met Dumps he was scurrying towards me along a sequestered
+country lane.  It was in the Dog Days.  Dust lay thick on the road; the
+creature's legs were remarkably short though active, and his hair being
+long he swept up the dust in clouds as he ran.  He was yelping, and I
+observed that one or two stones appeared to be racing with, or after,
+him.  The voice of an angry man also seemed to chase him, but the owner
+of the voice was at the moment concealed by a turn in the lane, which
+was bordered by high stone-walls.
+
+Hydrophobia, of course, flashed into my mind.  I grasped my stick and
+drew close to the wall.  The hairy whirlwind, if I may so call it, came
+wildly on, but instead of passing me, or snapping at my legs as I had
+expected, it stopped and crawled towards me in a piteous; supplicating
+manner that at once disarmed me.  If the creature had lain still, I
+should have been unable to distinguish its head from its tail; but as
+one end of him whined, and the other wagged, I had no difficulty.
+
+Stooping down with caution, I patted the end that whined, whereupon the
+end that wagged became violently demonstrative.  Just then the owner of
+the voice came round the corner.  He was a big, rough fellow, in ragged
+garments, and armed with a thick stick, which he seemed about to fling
+at the little dog, when I checked him with a shout--
+
+"You'd better not, my man, unless you want your own head broken!"
+
+You see I am a pretty well-sized man myself, and, as I felt confidence
+in my strength, my stick, and the goodness of my cause, I was bold.
+
+"What d'you mean by ill-treating the little dog?"  I demanded sternly,
+as I stepped up to the man.
+
+"A cove may do as he likes with his own, mayn't he?" answered the man,
+with a sulky scowl.
+
+"A `cove' may do nothing of the sort," said I indignantly, for cruelty
+to dumb animals always has the effect of inclining me to fight, though I
+am naturally of a peaceable disposition.  "There is an Act of
+Parliament," I continued, "which goes by the honoured name of Martin,
+and if you venture to infringe that Act I'll have you taken up and
+prosecuted."
+
+While I was speaking I observed a peculiar leer on the man's face, which
+I could not account for.  He appeared, however, to have been affected by
+my threats, for he ceased to scowl, and assumed a deferential air as he
+replied, "Vell, sir, it do seem raither 'ard that a cove should be
+blowed up for kindness."
+
+"Kindness!"  I exclaimed, in surprise.
+
+"Ay, kindness, sir.  That there hanimal loves me, it do, like a brother,
+an the love is mootooal.  Ve've lived together now--off an' on--for the
+matter o' six months.  Vell, I gits employment in a factory about
+fifteen miles from here, in which no dogs is allowed.  In coorse, I
+can't throw up my sitivation, sir, can I?  Neither can my doggie give up
+his master wot he's so fond of, so I'm obleeged to leave 'im in charge
+of a friend, with stric' orders to keep 'im locked up till I'm fairly
+gone.  Vell, off I goes, but he manages to escape, an' runs arter me.
+Now, wot can a feller do but drive 'im 'ome with sticks an' stones,
+though it do go to my 'eart to do it? but if he goes to the factory he's
+sure to be shot, or scragged, or drownded, or somethink; so you see,
+sir, it's out o' pure kindness I'm a peltin' of 'im."
+
+Confess that I felt somewhat doubtful of the truth of this story; but,
+in order to prevent any expression of my face betraying me, I stooped
+and patted the dog while the man spoke.  It received my attentions with
+evident delight.  A thought suddenly flashed on me:--
+
+"Will you sell your little dog?"  I asked.
+
+"Vy, sir," he replied, with some hesitation, "I don't quite like to do
+that.  He's such a pure breed, and--and he's so fond o' me."
+
+"But have you not told me that you are obliged to part with him?"
+
+I thought the man looked puzzled for a moment, but only for a moment.
+Turning to me with a bland smile, he said, "Ah, sir I that's just where
+it is.  I am obleeged to part with him, but I ain't obleeged to sell
+him.  If I on'y part with 'im, my friend keeps 'im for me, and we may
+meet again, but if I sell 'im, he's gone for ever!  Don't you see?
+Hows'ever, if you wants 'im wery bad, I'll do it on one consideration."
+
+"And that is?"
+
+"That you'll be good to 'im."
+
+I began to think I had misjudged the man.  "What's his name?"  I asked.
+
+Again for one moment there was that strange, puzzled look in the man's
+face, but it passed, and he turned with another of his bland smiles.
+
+"His name, sir?  Ah, his name?  He ain't got no name, sir!"
+
+"No name!"  I exclaimed, in surprise.
+
+"No, sir; I object to givin' dogs names on principle.  It's too much
+like treatin' them as if they wos Christians; and, you know, they
+couldn't be Christians if they wanted to ever so much.  Besides, wotever
+name you gives 'em, there must be so many other dogs with the same name,
+that you stand a chance o' the wrong dog comin' to 'e ven you calls."
+
+"That's a strange reason.  How then do you call him to you?"
+
+"Vy, w'en I wants 'im I shouts `Hi,' or `Hallo,' or I vistles."
+
+"Indeed," said I, somewhat amused by the humour of the fellow; "and what
+do you ask for him?"
+
+"Fi' pun ten, an' he's dirt cheap at that," was the quick reply.
+
+"Come, come, my man, you know the dog is not worth that."
+
+"Not worth it, sir!" he replied, with an injured look; "I tell you he's
+cheap at that.  Look at his breedin', and then think of his affectionate
+natur'.  Is the affections to count for nuffin'?"
+
+Admitted that the affections were worth money, though it was generally
+understood that they could not be purchased, but still objected to the
+price, until the man said in a confidential tone--
+
+"Vell, come, sir, since you do express such a deal o' love for 'im, and
+promise to be so good to 'im, I'll make a sacrifice and let you 'ave 'im
+for three pun ten--come!"
+
+Gave in, and walked off, with my purchase leaping joyfully at my heels.
+
+The man chuckled a good deal after receiving the money, but I took no
+notice of that at the time, though I thought a good deal about it
+afterwards.
+
+Ah! little did I think, as Dumps and I walked home that day, of the
+depth of the attachment that was to spring up between us, the varied
+experiences of life we were destined to have together, and the important
+influence he was to exercise on my career.
+
+Forgot to mention that my name is Mellon--John Mellon.  Dumps knows my
+name as well as he knows his own.
+
+On reaching home, Dumps displayed an evidence of good breeding, which
+convinced me that he could not have spent all his puppyhood in company
+with the man from whom I had bought him.  He wiped his feet on the
+door-mat with great vigour before entering my house, and also refused to
+pass in until I led the way.
+
+"Now, Dumps," said I, seating myself on the sofa in my solitary room (I
+was a bachelor at the time--a medical student, just on the point of
+completing my course), "come here, and let us have a talk."
+
+To my surprise, the doggie came promptly forward, sat down on his
+hind-legs, and looked up into my face.  I was touched by this display of
+ready confidence.  A confiding nature has always been to me powerfully
+attractive, whether in child, cat, or dog.  I brushed the shaggy hair
+from his face in order to see his eyes.  They were moist, and intensely
+black.  So was the point of his nose.
+
+"You seem to be an affectionate doggie, Dumps."
+
+A portion of hair--scarce worthy the name of tail--wagged as I spoke,
+and he attempted to lick my fingers, but I prevented this by patting his
+head.  I have an unconquerable aversion to licking.  Perhaps having
+received more than an average allowance, in another sense, at school,
+may account for my dislike to it--even from a dog!
+
+"Now, Dumps," I continued, "you and I are to be good friends.  I've
+bought you--for a pretty large sum too, let me tell you--from a man who,
+I am quite sure, treated you ill, and I intend to show you what good
+treatment is; but there are two things I mean to insist on, and it is
+well that we should understand each other at the outset of our united
+career.  You must never bark at my friends--not even at my enemies--when
+they come to see me, and you must not beg at meals.  D'you understand?"
+
+The way in which that shaggy creature cocked its ears and turned its
+head from side to side slowly, and gazed with its lustrous eyes while I
+was speaking, went far to convince me it really did understand what I
+said.  Of course it only wagged its rear tuft of hair in reply, and
+whimpered slightly.
+
+Refer to its rear tuft advisedly, because, at a short distance, my
+doggie, when in repose, resembled an elongated and shapeless mass; but,
+when roused by a call or otherwise, three tufts of hair instantly sprang
+up--two at one end, and one at the other end--indicating his ears and
+tail.  It was only by these signs that I could ascertain at any time his
+exact position.
+
+I was about to continue my remarks to Dumps when the door opened and my
+landlady appeared bearing the dinner tray.
+
+"Oh!  I beg parding, sir," she said, drawing back, "I didn't 'ear your
+voice, sir, till the door was open, an' I thought you was alone, but I
+can come back a--"
+
+"Come in, Mrs Miff.  There is nobody here but my little dog--one that I
+have just bought, a rather shaggy terrier--what do you think of him?"
+
+"Do 'e bite, sir?" inquired Mrs Miff, in some anxiety, as she passed
+round the table at a respectful distance from Dumps.
+
+"I think not.  He seems an amiable creature," said I, patting his head.
+"Do you ever bite, Dumps?"
+
+"Well, sir, I never feel quite easy," rejoined Mrs Miff in a doubtful
+tone, as she laid my cloth, with, as it were, one eye ever on the alert:
+"you never knows w'en these 'airy creatures is goin' to fly at you.  If
+you could see their heyes you might 'ave a guess what they was a
+thinkin' of; an' then it is so orkard not knowin' w'ich end of the 'airy
+bundle is the bitin' end, you can't help bein' nervish a little."
+
+Having finished laying the cloth, Mrs Miff backed out of the room after
+the manner of attendants on royalty, overturning two chairs with her
+skirts as she went, and showing her full front to the enemy.  But the
+enemy gave no sign, good or bad.  All the tufts were down flat, and he
+stood motionless while Mrs Miff retreated.
+
+"Dumps, what do you think of Mrs Miff?"
+
+The doggie ran to me at once, and we engaged in a little further
+conversation until my landlady returned with the viands.  To my surprise
+Dumps at once walked sedately to the hearth-rug, and lay down thereon,
+with his chin on his paws--at least I judged so from the attitude, for I
+could see neither chin nor paws.
+
+This act I regarded as another evidence of good breeding.  He was not a
+beggar, and, therefore, could not have spent his childhood with the man
+from whom I had bought him.
+
+"I wish you could speak, Dumps," said I, laying down my knife and fork,
+when about half finished, and looking towards the hearth-rug.
+
+One end of him rose a little, the other end wagged gently, but as I made
+no further remark, both ends subsided.
+
+"Now, Dumps," said I, finishing my meal with a draught of water, which
+is my favourite beverage, "you must not suppose that you have got a
+greedy master; though I don't allow begging.  There, sir, is your
+corner, where you shall always have the remnants of my dinner--come."
+
+The dog did not move until I said, "come."  Then, with a quick rush he
+made for the plate, and very soon cleared it.
+
+"Well, you have been well trained," said I, regarding him with interest;
+"such conduct is neither the result of instinct nor accident, and sure
+am I, the more I think of it, that the sulky fellow who sold you to me
+was not your tutor; but, as you can't speak, I shall never find out your
+history, so, Dumps, I'll dismiss the subject."
+
+Saying this, I sat down to the newspaper with which I invariably solaced
+myself for half an hour after dinner, before going out on my afternoon
+rounds.
+
+This was the manner in which my doggie and I began our acquaintance, and
+I have been thus particular in recounting the details, because they bear
+in a special manner on some of the most important events of my life.
+
+Being, as already mentioned, a medical student, and having almost
+completed my course of study, I had undertaken to visit in one of the
+poorest districts in London--in the neighbourhood of Whitechapel; partly
+for the purpose of gaining experience in my profession, and partly for
+the sake of carrying the Word of Life--the knowledge of the Saviour--
+into some of the many homes where moral as well as physical disease is
+rife.
+
+Leanings and inclinations are inherited not less than bodily
+peculiarities.  My father had a particular tenderness for poor old women
+of the lowest class.  So have I.  When I see a bowed, aged, wrinkled,
+white-haired, feeble woman in rags and dirt, a gush of tender pity
+almost irresistibly inclines me to go and pat her head, sit down beside
+her, comfort her, and give her money.  It matters not what her
+antecedents may have been.  Worthy or unworthy, there she stands now,
+with age, helplessness, and a hopeless temporal future, pleading more
+eloquently in her behalf than could the tongue of man or angel.  True,
+the same plea is equally applicable to poor old men, but, reader, I
+write not at present of principles so much as of feelings.  My weakness
+is old women!
+
+Accordingly, on my professional visiting list--I had at that time a
+considerable number of these.  One of them, who was uncommonly small,
+unusually miserable, and pathetically feeble, lay heavy on my spirit
+just then.  She had a remarkably bad cold at the time, which betrayed
+itself chiefly in a frequent, but feeble, sneeze.
+
+As I rose to go out, and looked at my doggie--who was, or seemed to be,
+asleep on the rug--a sudden thought occurred to me.
+
+"That poor old creature," I muttered, "is very lonely in her garret; a
+little dog might comfort her.  Perhaps--but no.  Dumps, you are too
+lively for her, too bouncing.  She would require something feeble and
+affectionate, like herself.  Come, I'll think of that.  So, my doggie,
+you shall keep watch here until I return."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+INTRODUCES A YOUNG HERO.
+
+The day had become very sultry by the time I went out to visit my
+patients.  The sky was overcast with dark thunderous clouds, and, as
+there seemed every chance of a heavy shower, I returned to my lodgings
+for an umbrella.
+
+"Oh, Mr Mellon!" exclaimed my landlady, as I entered the lobby, "was
+there ever a greater blessin'--oh!--"
+
+"Why, what's the matter, Mrs Miff?"
+
+"Oh, sir! that 'orrid little dog as you brought 'as gone mad!"
+
+"Is that the blessing you refer to, Mrs Miff?"
+
+"No, sir; but your comin' back is, for the creetur 'as bin rampagin'
+round the room, an yellin' like a thing possessed by demons.  I'm so
+glad you've come!"
+
+Feeling sure that the little dog, unaccustomed, perhaps, to be left
+alone in a strange place, was merely anxious to be free, I at once went
+to my room-door and opened it.  Dumps bounced out, and danced joyfully
+round me.  Mrs Miff fled in deadly silence to her own bedroom, where
+she locked and bolted herself in.
+
+"Dumps," said I, with a laugh, "I shall have to take you with me at the
+risk of losing you.  Perhaps the memory of the feed I've given you, and
+the hope of another, may keep you by me.  Come, we shall see."
+
+My doggie behaved much better than I had anticipated.  He did indeed
+stop at several butchers' shops during our walk, and looked inquiringly
+in.  He also evinced a desire to enter into conversation with one or two
+other sociable dogs, but the briefest chirp or whistle brought him at
+once obediently to my heel, just as if he had known and obeyed me all
+his life.
+
+When we reached the poorer parts of the city, I observed that the
+free-and-easy swagger, and the jaunty hopping of each hind-leg
+alternately, gave place to a sedate walk and a wary turn of the head,
+which suggested keen suspicious glances of the unseen eyes.
+
+"Ah!" thought I, "evidently he has suffered hardships and bad treatment
+in places like this."
+
+I stooped and patted his head.  He drew closer to me, as if seeking
+protection.
+
+Just then a low grumbling of thunder was heard, and soon after the rain
+came down so heavily that, the umbrella forming an insufficient
+protection, Dumps and I sought shelter in the mouth of an alley.  The
+plump was short-lived, and the little knots of people who had sought
+shelter along with us melted quickly away.
+
+My doggie's aspect was not improved by this shower.  It had caused his
+hairy coat to cling to his form, producing a drowned-rat aspect which
+was not becoming; but a short run and some vigorous shakes soon restored
+his rotundity.
+
+In a few minutes thereafter we reached a narrow square or court at the
+end of a very dirty locality, in one corner of which was a low
+public-house.  Through the half-open swing-door could be seen the usual
+melancholy crowd of unhappy creatures who had either already come under
+the full influence and curse of strong drink, or were far on the road to
+ruin.  It was a sight with which I had become so familiar that, sad
+though it was, I scarce gave it a thought in passing.  My mind was
+occupied with the poor old woman I was about to visit, and I would have
+taken no further notice of the grog-shop in question if the door had not
+opened violently, and a dirty ragged street-boy, or "waif," apparently
+about eight or nine years of age, rushed out with a wild cry that may be
+described as a compound cheer-and-yell.  He came out in such blind haste
+that he ran his ragged head with great violence against my side, and
+almost overturned me.
+
+"Hallo, youngster!"  I exclaimed sternly.
+
+"Hallo, oldster!" he replied, in a tone of the most insolent
+indignation, "wot ever do you mean by runnin' agin my 'ead like that?
+Hain't you got no genteel boys in the West-end to butt agin, that you
+come all the way to Vitechapel to butt agin _me_?  I've a good mind to
+'and you over to the p'leece.  Come, you owes me a copper for that."
+
+The ineffable insolence of this waif took me quite by surprise.  He
+spoke with extreme volubility, and assumed the commanding air of a man
+of six-feet-four, though only a boy of four-feet-six.  I observed,
+however, that he kept at a sufficient distance to make sure of escaping
+in the event of my trying to seize him.
+
+"Come," said I, with a smile, "I think you rather owe me a copper for
+giving me such a punch in the ribs."
+
+"Vell, I don't mind lookin' at it in that light," he replied, returning
+my smile.  "I _vill_ give you a copper, on'y I hain't got change.  You
+wouldn't mind comin' into this 'ere grog-shop while I git change, would
+you?  Or if you'll lend me a sixpence I'll go in and git it for you."
+
+"No," said I, putting my fingers into my waistcoat pocket; "but here is
+a sixpence for you, which you may keep, and never mind the change, if
+you'll walk along the streets with me a bit."
+
+The urchin held out his dirty hand, and I put the coin into it.  He
+smiled, tossed the sixpence, caught it deftly, and transferred it to his
+right trousers pocket.
+
+"Vell, you are a rum 'un.  But I say, all square?  No dodges?  Honour
+bright?"
+
+"No dodges.  Honour bright," I replied.
+
+"Come along."
+
+At this point my attention was attracted by a sudden change in the
+behaviour of Dumps.  He went cautiously towards the boy, and snuffed as
+him for a moment.
+
+"I say, is he wicious?" he asked, backing a little.
+
+"I think not, but--"
+
+I was checked in my speech by the little dog uttering a whine of delight
+and suddenly dancing round the boy, wagging its tail violently, and
+indeed wriggling its whole shapeless body with joy; as some dogs are
+wont to do when they meet with an old friend unexpectedly.
+
+"Why, he seems to know you," said I, in surprise.
+
+"Vell, he do seem to 'ave 'ad the honour of my acquaintance some'ow,"
+returned the boy, whose tone of banter quickly passed away.  "What d'ee
+call 'im?"
+
+"Dumps," said I.
+
+"That won't do.  Has he a vite spot on the bridge of 'is nose?" asked
+the boy earnestly.
+
+"I really cannot tell.  It is not long--"
+
+"Here, Punch, come here!" called the boy, interrupting.
+
+At the name of Punch my doggie became so demonstrative in his affections
+that he all but leaped into the boy's arms, whined lovingly, and licked
+his dirty face all over.
+
+"The wery dog," said the boy, after looking at his nose; "only growed so
+big that his own mother wouldn't know 'im.--Vy, where 'ave you bin all
+this long while, Punch?"
+
+"D'you mean to say that you know the dog, and that his name is Punch?"
+
+"Vell, you _are_ green.  Wouldn't any cove with half an eye see that the
+dog knows me, an' so, in course, I must know _him_?  An' ven I called
+'im Punch didn't he answer?--hey?"
+
+I was obliged to admit the truth of these remarks.  After the first
+ebullition of joy at the meeting was over, we went along the street
+together.
+
+"Then the dog is yours?" said I as we went along.
+
+"No, he ain't mine.  He was mine once--ven he was a pup, but I sold 'im
+to a young lady for--a _wery_ small sum."
+
+"For how much?"  I asked.
+
+"For five bob.  Yes--on'y five bob!  I axed vun pound, but the young
+lady was so pleasant an' pritty that I come down to ten bob.  Then she
+said she was poor--and to tell 'ee the plain truth she looked like it--
+an' she wanted the pup so bad that I come down to five."
+
+"And who was this young lady?"
+
+"Blow'd if I knows.  She went off wi' my Punch, an' I never saw'd 'em
+more."
+
+"Then you don't know what induced her to sell Punch to a low fellow--but
+of course you know nothing about that," said I, in a musing tone, as I
+thought of the strange manner in which this portion of my doggie's
+history had come to light, but I was recalled from my reverie by the
+contemptuous tones of my little companion's voice, as he said--
+
+"But I _do_ know something about that."
+
+"Oh, indeed!  I thought you said you never saw the young lady again."
+
+"No more I did.  Neither did I ever see Punch again till to-day, but I
+know for certain that my young lady never sold no dog wotsomedever to no
+_low_ feller as ever walked in shoe leather or out of it!"
+
+"Ah, I see," said I slowly, "you mean--"
+
+"Yes, out with it, that's just wot I do mean--that the low feller
+prigged the pup from her, an' I on'y vish as I 'ad a grip of his ugly
+nose, and I'd draw it out from his uglier face, I would, like the small
+end of a telescope, and then shut it up flat again--so flat that you'd
+never know he'd had no nose at all!"
+
+My little sharp-witted companion then willingly gave me an account of
+all he knew about the early history of my doggie.
+
+The story was not long, but it began, so to speak, at the beginning.
+
+Punch, or Dumps, as I continued to call him, had been born in a dry
+water-butt which stood in a back yard near the Thames.  This yard was,
+or had been, used for putting away lumber.
+
+"It was a queer place," said my little companion, looking up in my face
+with a droll expression--"a sort o' place that, when once you had gone
+into it, you was sure to wish you hadn't.  Talk o' the blues, sir; I do
+assure _you_ that w'en I used to go into that yard of a night it gave me
+the black-an'-blues, it did.  There was a mouldiness an' a soppiness
+about it that beat the katticombs all to sticks.  It looked like a place
+that some rubbish had bin flung into in the days before Adam an' Eve was
+born, an' 'ad been forgotten tee-totally from that time to this.  Oh, it
+was awful!  Used to make my marrow screw up into lumps w'en I was used
+to go there."
+
+"But why did you go there at all if you disliked it so much?"  I asked.
+
+"Vy? because I 'adn't got no better place to go to.  I was used to sleep
+there.  I slep' in the self-same water-butt where Punch was born.
+That's 'ow I come to scrape acquaintance with 'im.  I'd bin away from
+'ome in the country for a week's slidin'."
+
+"A week's what?"
+
+"Slidin'.  Don't you know what sliding on the ice is?"
+
+"Oh!--yes.  Are you very fund of that?"
+
+"I should think I was--w'en my boots are good enough to stick on, but
+they ain't always that, and then I've got to slide under difficulties.
+Sometimes I'm out o' boots an' shoes altogether, in vich case slidin's
+impossible; but I can look on and slide in spirit, vich is better than
+nuffin'.  But, as I was sayin' w'en you 'ad the bad manners to interrupt
+me, I 'ad bin away from 'ome for a week--"
+
+"Excuse my interrupting you again, but where is your home, may I ask?"
+
+"You may ask, but it 'ud puzzle me to answer for I ain't got no 'ome,
+unless I may say that London is my 'ome.  I come an' go where I pleases,
+so long's I don't worrit nobody.  I sleep where I like, if the bobbies
+don't get their eyes on me w'en I'm agoin' to bed, an' I heat wotever
+comes in my way if it ain't too tough.  In winter I sleeps in a lodgin'
+'ouse w'en I can but as it costs thrippence a night, I finds it too
+expensive, an' usually prefers a railway arch, or a corner in Covent
+Garden Market, under a cart or a barrow, or inside of a empty
+sugar-barrel--anywhere so long's I'm let alone; but what with the rain,
+the wind, the cold, and the bobbies, I may be said to sleep under
+difficulties.  Vell, as I was agoin' to say w'en--"
+
+"Excuse me once more--what is your name?" said I.
+
+"Hain't got no name."
+
+"No name!  Come, you are joking.  What is your father's name?"
+
+"Hain't got no father--never 'ad, as I knows on, nor mother neither, nor
+brother, nor sister, nor aunt, nor wife--not even a mother-in-law.  I'm
+a unit in creation, I is--as I once heerd a school-board buffer say w'en
+he was luggin' me along to school; but he was too green, that buffer
+was, for a school-boarder.  I gave 'im the slip at the corner of Watling
+Street, an' they've never bin able to cotch me since."
+
+"But you must be known by some name," said I.  "What do your companions
+call you?"
+
+"They call me bad names, as a rule.  Some o' the least offensive among
+'em are Monkey-face, Screwnose, Cheeks, Squeaker, Roundeyes, and
+Slidder.  I prefers the last myself, an' ginerally answers to it.  But,
+as I was agoin' to say, I'd bin away for a veek, an' w'en I comed
+'ome--"
+
+"To which part of home? for London is a wide word, you know," I said.
+
+"Now, sir, if you go for to interrupt me like that I'll 'ave to charge a
+bob for this here valk; I couldn't stand it for sixpence."
+
+"Come, Slidder, don't be greedy."
+
+"Vell, sir, if you got as many kicks as I do, and as few ha'pence,
+p'r'aps you'd be greedy too."
+
+"Perhaps I should, my boy," said I, in a gentle tone.  "But come, I will
+give you an extra sixpence if we get along well.  Let's have the rest of
+your story; I won't interrupt again."
+
+"It ain't my story, it's Punch's story," returned the waif, as he
+stooped to pat the gratified doggie.  "Vell, w'en I com'd 'ome it was
+lateish and I was tired, besides bein' 'ungry; so I goes right off to my
+water-butt, intendin' to go to bed as usual, but no sooner did I put my
+head in, than out came a most awful growl.  The butt lay on its side,
+and I backed out double quick just in time, for a most 'orrible-lookin'
+terrier dog rushed at me.  Bein' used to dogs, I wasn't took by
+surprise, but fetched it a clip with one o' my feet in its ribs that
+sent it staggerin' to the palin' o' the yard.  It found a hole, bolted
+through, scurried up the lane yellin', and I never saw'd it more!  This
+was Punch's mother.  On goin' into the butt afterwards I found three
+dead pups and one alive, so I pitched the dead ones away an' shoved the
+live one into the breast of my coat, where he slep' till mornin'.  At
+first I 'ad a mind to drown the pup, but it looked so comfortable an'
+playful, an' was such a queer critter, that I called him Punch, an'
+became a father to 'im.  I got him bones an' other bits o' grub, an'
+kep' 'im in the water-butt for three veeks.  Then he began to make a
+noise v'en I left him; so, bein' sure the bobbies would rout 'im out at
+last, I took 'im an' sold 'im to the first pleasant lady that seemed to
+fancy 'im."
+
+"Well, Slidder," said I, as we turned down into the mean-looking alley
+where Mrs Willis, my little old woman, dwelt, "I am greatly interested
+in what you have told me about my little dog, and I am interested still
+more in what you have told me about yourself.  Now, I want you to do me
+a favour.  I wish you to go with me to visit an old woman, and, after
+that, to walk home with me--part of the way, at least."
+
+The boy, whose pinched, hunger-smitten face had an expression of almost
+supernatural intelligence on it, bestowed on me a quick, earnest glance.
+
+"No dodges?  Honour bright?  You ain't a school-board buffer?" he asked.
+
+"No dodges.  Honour bright," I replied, with a smile.
+
+"Vell, then, heave ahead, an' I'll foller."
+
+We passed quickly down to the lower end of the alley, which seemed to
+lose itself in a wretched court that appeared as if it intended to slip
+into the river--an intention which, if carried out, would have vastly
+improved its sanitary condition.  Here, in a somewhat dark corner of the
+court, I entered an open door, ascended a flight of stairs, and gained a
+second landing.  At the farthest extremity of the passage I stopped at a
+door and knocked.  Several of the other doors of the passage opened, and
+various heads were thrust out, while inquisitive eyes surveyed me and my
+companion.  A short survey seemed to suffice, for the doors were soon
+shut, one after another, with a bang, but the door at which I knocked
+did not open.
+
+Lifting the latch, I entered, and observed that Mrs Willis was seated
+by the window, looking wistfully out.  Being rather deaf, she had not
+heard my knock.
+
+"Come in," I whispered to little Slidder, "sit down on this stool near
+the door, and keep quiet until I speak to you."
+
+So saying, I advanced to the window.  The view was not interesting.  It
+consisted of the side of a house; about three feet distant, down which
+ran a water-spout, or drain-pipe, which slightly relieved the dead look
+of the bricks.  From one pane of the window it was possible, by
+squeezing your cheek against it, to obtain a perspective view of
+chimney-pots.  By a stretch of the neck upwards you could see more
+chimney pots.  By a stretch of imagination you could see cats
+quarrelling around them,--or anything else you pleased!
+
+Sitting down on a rickety chair beside the little old woman, I touched
+her gently on the shoulder.  She had come to know my touch by that time,
+I think, for she looked round with a bright little smile.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+TREATS OF AN OLD HEROINE.
+
+It was pleasant yet sad to observe the smile with which old Mrs Willis
+greeted me--pleasant, because it proved that she was rejoiced to see me;
+sad, because it was not quite in keeping with the careworn old face
+whose set wrinkles it deranged.
+
+"I knew you would come.  You never miss the day," she said, both words
+and tone showing that she had fallen from a much higher position in the
+social scale.
+
+"It costs me little to visit you once a week, dear Mrs Willis," I
+replied, "and it gives me great pleasure; besides, I am bound by the
+laws of the Society which grants your annuity to call personally and pay
+it.  I only wish it were a larger sum."
+
+"Large enough; more than I deserve," said the old woman in a low tone,
+as she gazed somewhat vacantly at the dead wall opposite, and let her
+eyes slowly descend the spout.
+
+The view was not calculated to distract or dissipate the mind.  The
+bricks were so much alike that the eye naturally sought and reposed on
+or followed the salient feature.  Having descended the spout as far as
+the window-sill permitted, the eyes of Mrs Willis slowly reascended as
+far as possible, and then turned with a meek expression to my face.
+"More than I deserve," she repeated, "and _almost_ as much as I require.
+It is very kind of the Society to give it, and of you to bring it.  May
+God bless you both!  Ah, doctor!  I'm often puzzled by--eh!  What's
+that?"
+
+The sudden question, anxiously asked, was accompanied by a feeble
+attempt to gather her poor garments close round her feet as Dumps
+sniffed at her skirts and agitated his ridiculous tail.
+
+"It's only my dog, granny,"--I had of late adopted this term of
+endearment; "a very quiet well-behaved creature, I assure you, that
+seems too amiable to bite.  Why, he appears to have a tendency to claim
+acquaintance with everybody.  I do believe he knows _you_!"
+
+"No, no, he doesn't.  Put him out; pray put him out," said the old
+woman, in alarm.
+
+Grieved that I had unintentionally roused her fear, I opened the door
+and called Dumps.  My doggie rose, with his three indicators erect and
+expectant.
+
+"Go out, sir, and lie down!"
+
+The indicators slowly drooped, and Dumps crawled past in abject
+humility.  Shutting the door, I returned.
+
+"I hope you don't dislike little boys as well as little dogs, granny,
+because I have brought one to wait for me here.  You won't mind his
+sitting at the door until I go?"
+
+"No, no!" said Mrs Willis quickly; "I like little boys--when--when
+they're good," she added, after a pause.
+
+"Say I'm one o' the good sort, sir," suggested Slidder, in a hoarse
+whisper.  "Of course, it ain't true, but wot o' that, if it relieves her
+mind?"
+
+Taking no notice of this remark, I again sat down beside my old woman.
+
+"What were you going to say about being puzzled, granny?"
+
+"Puzzled, doctor! did I say I was puzzled?"
+
+"Yes, but pray don't call me doctor.  I'm not quite fledged yet, you
+know.  Call me Mellon, or John.  Well, you were saying--"
+
+"Oh, I remember.  I was only going to say that I've been puzzled a good
+deal of late by that text in which David says, `I have never seen the
+righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.'  Now, my father and
+mother were both good Christians, and, although I cannot claim to be a
+_good_ one myself, I do claim to be a poor follower of Jesus.  Yet here
+am I--"
+
+She paused.
+
+"Well, granny," said I, "are you forsaken?"
+
+"Nay, John, God forbid that I should say so; but am I not a beggar?  Ah
+pride, pride, you are hard to kill!"
+
+"_Are_ you a beggar?"  I asked in a tone of surprise.  "When did you beg
+last, granny?"
+
+"Is not a recipient of charity a beggar?"
+
+"No," I replied stoutly, "he is not.  A solicitor of charity is a
+beggar, but a recipient thereof is not.  In your case it was I who was
+the beggar.  Do you not remember when I found you first, without a crust
+in the house, how I had to beg and entreat you to allow me to put your
+name on this charity, and how you persistently refused, until at last I
+did it without your consent; and how, eventually, you gave in only when
+I charged you with pride?  You are not forsaken, granny, and you are not
+a beggar."
+
+"Brayvo, doctor! you have 'er there!" came in a soft whisper from the
+door.
+
+For a moment I felt tempted to turn the boy out, as I had turned out the
+dog; but, seeing that my old woman had not overheard the remark, I took
+no notice of it.
+
+"You have put the matter in a new light John," said Mrs Willis slowly,
+as her eyes once more sought the spout.  "You often put things in new
+lights, and there does seem some truth in what you say.  It did hurt my
+pride at first, but I'm gettin' used to it now.  Besides," continued the
+old lady, with a deep sigh, "that trouble and everything else is
+swallowed up in the great sorrow of my life."
+
+"Ah! you refer to your granddaughter, I suppose," said I in a tone of
+profound sympathy.  "You have never told me about her, dear granny.  If
+it is not too painful a subject to speak of, I should like to hear about
+her.  When did she die?"
+
+"Die!" exclaimed Mrs Willis with a burst of energy that surprised
+me--"she did not die!  She left me many, many months ago, it seems like
+years now.  My Edie went out one afternoon to walk, like a beautiful
+sunbeam as she always was, and--and--she never came back!"
+
+"Never came back!"  I echoed, in surprise.
+
+"No--never.  I was not able to walk then, any more than now, else I
+would have ranged London all round, day and night, for my darling.  As
+it was, a kind city missionary made inquiries at all the police-offices,
+and everywhere else he could think of, but no clew could be gained as to
+what had become of her.  At last he got wearied out and gave it up.  No
+wonder; he had never seen Edie, and could not love her as I did.  Once
+he thought he had discovered her.  The body of a poor girl had been
+found in the river, which he thought answered to her description.  I
+thought so too when he told me what she was like, and at once concluded
+she had tumbled in by accident and been drowned--for, you see, my Edie
+was good and pure and true.  She could not have committed suicide unless
+her mind had become deranged, and there was nothing that I knew of to
+bring about that.  They got me with much trouble into a cab, and drove
+me to the place.  Ah! the poor thing--she was fair and sweet to look
+upon, with her curling brown hair and a smile still on the parted lips,
+as if she had welcomed Death; but she was not my Edie.  For months and
+months after that I waited and waited, feeling sure that she would come.
+Then I was forced to leave my lodging.  The landlord wanted it himself.
+I begged that he would let me remain, but he would not.  He was a
+hard-hearted, dissipated man.  I took another lodging, but it was a long
+way off, and left my name and new address at the old one.  My heart sank
+after that, and--and I've no hope now--no hope.  My darling must have
+met with an accident in this terrible city.  She must have been killed,
+and will never come back to me."
+
+The poor creature uttered a low wail, and put a handkerchief to her old
+eyes.
+
+"But, bless the Lord!" she added in a more cheerful tone, "I will go to
+her--soon."
+
+For some minutes I knew not what to say in reply, by way of comforting
+my poor old friend.  The case seemed indeed so hopeless.  I could only
+press her hand.  But my nature is naturally buoyant, and ready to hope
+against hope, even when distress assails myself.
+
+"Do not say there is no hope, granny," said I at last, making an effort
+to be cheerful.  "You know that with God all things are possible.  It
+may be that this missionary did not go the right way to work in his
+search, however good his intentions might have been.  I confess I cannot
+imagine how it is possible that any girl should disappear in this way,
+unless she had deliberately gone off with some one."
+
+"No, John, my Edie would not have left me thus of her own free will,"
+said the old woman, with a look of assurance which showed that her mind
+was immovably fixed as to that point.
+
+"Well, then," I continued, "loving you as you say she did, and being
+incapable of leaving you deliberately and without a word of explanation,
+it follows that--that--"
+
+I stopped, for at this point no plausible reason for the girl's
+disappearance suggested itself.
+
+"It follows that she must have been killed," said the old woman in a low
+broken tone.
+
+"No, granny, I will not admit that.--Come, cheer up; I will do my best
+to make inquiries about her, and as I have had considerable experience
+in making investigations among the poor of London, perhaps I may fall on
+some clew.  She would be sure to have made inquiries, would she not, at
+your old lodging, if she had felt disposed to return?"
+
+"Felt disposed!" repeated Mrs Willis, with a strange laugh.  "If she
+_could_ return, you mean."
+
+"Well--if she could," said I.
+
+"No doubt she would; but soon after I left my old lodging the landlord
+fled the country, and other people came to the house, who were troubled
+by my sending so often to inquire.  Then my money was all expended, and
+I had to quit my second lodging, and came here, which is far, far from
+the old lodging, and now I have no one to send."
+
+"Have you any friends in London?"  I asked.
+
+"No.  We had come from York to try to find teaching for my darling, for
+we could get none in our native town, and we had not been long enough in
+London to make new friends when--when--she went away.  My dear Ann and
+Willie, her mother and father, died last year, and now we have no near
+relations in the world."
+
+"Shall I read to you, granny?" said I, feeling that no words of mine
+could do much to comfort one in so sad a case.
+
+She readily assented.  I was in the habit of reading and praying with
+her during these visits.  I turned, without any definite intention of
+doing so, to the words, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
+laden, and I will give you rest."  I cannot tell why, but I paused here
+instead of reading on, or commenting on the words.
+
+The old woman looked earnestly at me.
+
+"These words," she said, "have been in my mind all yesterday and the day
+before.  I have been greatly comforted by them, because `He is faithful
+who has promised.'  Pray over them, John; don't read any more."
+
+I knelt by the poor woman's chair; she could not kneel with me in body,
+though she did in spirit, I doubt not.  I had quite forgotten Slidder,
+but, on rising, observed that he had followed my example and gone down
+on his knees.
+
+"Were you praying with us, Slidder?"  I asked, after we left Mrs
+Willis, and were walking up the alley, followed by Dumps.
+
+"Dun know, sir; I've never heard nor seen nuffin' o' this sort before.
+In coorse I've heard the missionaries sometimes, a-hollerin' about the
+streets, but I never worrited myself about _them_.  I say, doctor,
+that's a rum go about that gal Edie--ain't it?  I've quite took a fancy
+to that gal, now, though I ain't seen her.  D'ye think she's bin
+drownded?"
+
+"I scarce know what to think.  Her disappearance so suddenly does seem
+very strange.  I fear, I fear much that--however, it's of no use
+guessing.  I shall at once set about making inquiries."
+
+"Ha! so shall I," said the little waif, with a look of determination on
+his small face that amused me greatly, "for she's a good gal is Edie--if
+she ain't drownded."
+
+"Why, boy, how can you know whether the girl is good or bad?"
+
+"How can I know?" he echoed, with a glance of almost superhuman wisdom.
+"In coorse I know by the powers of obserwation.  That old gal, Mrs
+Willis, is a good old thing--as good as gold.  Vell, a good mother is
+always cocksure to 'ave a good darter--specially ven she's a only
+darter--so the mother o' Edie bein' good, Edie herself _must_ be good,
+don't you see?  Anythink as belonged to Mrs Willis can't help bein'
+good.  I'm glad you took me to see her, doctor, for I've made up my mind
+to take that old 'ooman up, as the bobbies say w'en they're wexed with
+avin' nuffin' to do 'xcept strut about the streets like turkey-cocks.
+I'll take 'er up and do for 'er, I will."
+
+On questioning him further I found that this ragged and homeless little
+waif had indeed been touched by Mrs Willis's sad story, and drawn
+towards her by her soft, gentle nature--so different from what he had
+hitherto met with in his wanderings,--and that he was resolved to offer
+her his gratuitous services as a message-boy and general servant,
+without requiring either food or lodging in return.
+
+"But Mrs Willis may object to such a dirty ragged fellow coming about
+her," said I.
+
+"Ain't there no pumps in London, stoopid?" said Slidder, with a look of
+pity, "no soap?"
+
+"True," I replied, with a laugh, "but you'd require needles and thread
+and cloth, in addition, to make yourself respectable."
+
+"Nothink of the sort; I can beg or borrer or steal coats and pants, you
+know."
+
+"Ah, Slidder!" said I, in a kind but serious tone, "doubtless you can,
+but begging or borrowing are not likely to succeed, and stealing is
+wrong."
+
+"D'you think so?" returned the boy, with a look of innocent surprise.
+"Don't you think, now, that in a good cause a cove might:--
+
+  "`Take wot isn't his'n,
+  An' risk his bein' sent to pris'n?'"
+
+I replied emphatically that I did not think so, that _wrong_ could never
+be made _right_ by any means, and that the commencement of a course of
+even disinterested kindness on such principles would be sure to end ill.
+
+"Vell, then, I'll reconsider my decision, as the maginstrates ought to
+say, but never do."
+
+"That's right.  And now we must part, Slidder," I said, stopping.  "Here
+is the second sixpence I promised you, also my card and address.  Will
+you come and see me at my own house the day after to-morrow, at eight in
+the morning?"
+
+"I will," replied the boy, with decision; "but I say, all fair an'
+above-board?  No school-boardin' nor nuffin' o' that sort--hey? honour
+bright?"
+
+"Honour bright!"  I replied, holding out my hand, which he grasped and
+shook quite heartily.
+
+We had both taken two or three steps in opposite directions, when, as if
+under the same impulse, we looked back at each other, and in so doing
+became aware of the fact that Dumps stood between us on the pavement in
+a state of extreme indecision or mental confusion.
+
+"Hallo!  I say! we've bin an' forgot Punch!" exclaimed the boy.
+
+"Dumps," said I, "come along!"
+
+"Punch," said he, "come here, good dog!"
+
+My doggie looked first at one, then at the other.  The two indicators in
+front rose and fell, while the one behind wagged and drooped in a state
+of obvious uncertainty.
+
+"Won't you sell 'im back?" said Slidder, returning.  "I'll work it out
+in messages or anythink else."
+
+"But what of the bobbies?"  I asked.
+
+"Ah! true, I forgot the bobbies.  I'd on'y be able to keep 'im for a
+week, p'r'aps not so long, afore they'd nab him.--Go, Punch, go, you
+don't know ven you're vell off."
+
+The tone in which this was uttered settled the point, and turned the
+wavering balance of the creature's affections in my favour.  With all
+the indicators extremely pendulous, and its hairy coat hanging in a
+species of limp humility, my doggie followed me home; but I observed
+that, as we went along, he ever and anon turned a wistful glance in the
+direction in which the ragged waif had disappeared.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+IN WHICH DUMPS FINDS ANOTHER OLD FRIEND.
+
+One morning, a considerable time after the events narrated in the last
+chapter, I sat on the sofa waiting for breakfast, and engaged in an
+interesting conversation with Dumps.  The only difference in our mode of
+communication was that Dumps talked with his eyes, I with my tongue.
+
+From what I have already said about my doggie, it will be understood
+that his eyes--which were brown and speaking eyes--lay behind such a
+forest of hair that it was only by clearing the dense masses away that I
+could obtain a full view of his liquid orbs.  I am not sure that his
+ears were much less expressive than his eyes.  Their variety of motion,
+coupled with their rate of action, served greatly to develop the full
+meaning of what his eyes said.
+
+"Mrs Miff seems to have forgotten us this morning, Dumps," I remarked,
+pulling out my watch.
+
+One ear cocked forward, the other turned back towards the door, and a
+white gleam under the hair, indicating that the eyes turned in the same
+direction, said as plainly as there was any occasion for--
+
+"No; not quite forgotten us.  I hear her coming now."
+
+"Ha! so she is.  Now you shall have a feed."  Both ears elevated to the
+full extent obviously meant "Hurrah!" while a certain motion of his body
+appeared to imply that, in consequence of his sedentary position, he was
+vainly attempting to wag the sofa.
+
+"If you please, sir," said my landlady, laying the breakfast tray on the
+table, "there's a shoe-black in the kitchen says he wants to see you."
+
+"Ah! young Slidder, I fancy.  Well, send him up."
+
+"He says he's 'ad his breakfast an' will wait till you have done, sir."
+
+"Very considerate.  Send him up nevertheless."
+
+In a few minutes my _protege_ stood before me, hat in hand, looking, in
+the trim costume of the brigade, quite a different being from the ragged
+creature I had met with in Whitechapel.  Dumps instantly assaulted him
+with loving demonstrations.
+
+"How spruce you look, my boy!"
+
+"Thanks to _you_, sir," replied Slidder, with a familiar nod; "they do
+say I'm lookin' up."
+
+"I hope you like the work.  Have you had breakfast?  Would a roll do you
+any good?"
+
+"Thankee, I'm primed for the day.  I came over, sir, to say that granny
+seems to me to be out o' sorts.  Since I've been allowed to sleep on the
+rug inside her door, I've noticed that she ain't so lively as she used
+to was.  Shivers a deal w'en it ain't cold, groans now an' then, an
+whimpers a good deal.  It strikes me, now--though I ain't a reg'lar
+sawbones--that there's suthin' wrong with her in'ards."
+
+"I'll finish breakfast quickly and go over with you to see her," said I.
+
+"Don't need to 'urry, sir," returned Slidder; "she ain't wery bad--not
+much wuss than or'nary--on'y I've bin too anxious about her--poor old
+thing.  I'll vait below till you're ready.--Come along, Punch, an' jine
+yer old pal in the kitchen till the noo 'un's ready."
+
+After breakfast we three hurried out and wended our way eastward.  As
+the morning was unusually fine I diverged towards one of the more
+fashionable localities to deliver a note with which I had been charged.
+Young Slidder's spirits were high, and for a considerable time he
+entertained me with a good deal of the East-end gossip.  Among other
+things, he told me of the great work that was being done there by Dr
+Barnardo and others of similar spirit, in rescuing waifs like himself
+from their wretched condition.
+
+"Though some on us don't think it so wretched arter all," he continued.
+"There's the Slogger, now, he won't go into the 'ome on no
+consideration; says he wouldn't give a empty sugar-barrel for all the
+'omes in London.  But then the Slogger's a lazy muff.  He don't want to
+work--that's about it.  He'd sooner starve than work.  By consikence he
+steals, more or less, an finds a 'ome in the `stone jug' pretty
+frequent.  As to his taste for a sugar-barrel, I ain't so sure that I
+don't agree with 'im.  It's big, you know--plenty of room to move, w'ich
+it ain't so with a flour-barrel.  An' then the smell!  Oh! you've no
+notion!  W'y, that's wuth the price of a night's lodgin' itself, to say
+nothin' o' the chance of a knot-hole or a crack full o' sugar, that the
+former tenants has failed to diskiver."
+
+While the waif was commenting thus enthusiastically on the bliss of
+lodging in a sugar-barrel, we were surprised to see Dumps, who chanced
+to be trotting on in front come to a sudden pause and gaze at a lady who
+was in the act of ringing the door-bell of an adjoining house.
+
+The door was opened by a footman, and the lady was in the act of
+entering when Dumps gave vent to a series of sounds, made up of a whine,
+a bark, and a yelp.  At the same moment his tail all but twirled him off
+his legs as he rushed wildly up the stairs and began to dance round the
+lady in mad excitement.
+
+The lady backed against the door in alarm.  The footman, anxious
+apparently about his calves, seized an umbrella and made a wild assault
+on the dog, and I was confusedly conscious of Slidder exclaiming, "Why,
+if that ain't _my_ young lady!" as I sprang up the steps to the rescue.
+
+"Down, Dumps, you rascal; down!"  I exclaimed, seizing him by the brass
+collar with which I had invested him.--"Pardon the rudeness of my dog,
+madam," I said, looking up; "I never saw him act in this way before.  It
+is quite unaccountable--"
+
+"Not quite so unaccountable as you think," interrupted Slidder, who
+stood looking calmly on, with his hands in his pockets and a grin on his
+face.--"It's your own dog, miss."
+
+"What do you mean, boy?" said the lady, a gaze of surprise chasing away
+the look of alarm which had covered her pretty face.
+
+"I mean 'xactly what I says, miss.  The dog's your own: I sold it to you
+long ago for five bob!"
+
+The girl--for she was little more than sixteen--turned with a startled,
+doubting look to the dog.
+
+"If you don't b'lieve it, miss, look at the vite spot on the bridge of
+'is nose," said Slidder, with a self-satisfied nod to the lady and a
+supremely insolent wink to the footman.
+
+"Pompey!" exclaimed the girl, holding out a pair of the prettiest little
+gloved hands imaginable.
+
+My doggie broke from my grasp with a shriek of joy, and sprang into her
+arms.  She buried her face in his shaggy neck and absolutely hugged him.
+
+I stood aghast.  The footman smiled in an imbecile manner.
+
+"You'd better not squeeze quite so hard, miss, or he'll bust!" remarked
+the waif.
+
+Recovering herself, and dropping the dog somewhat hurriedly, she turned
+to me with a flushed face and said--
+
+"Excuse me, sir; this unexpected meeting with my dog--"
+
+"_Your_ dog!"  I involuntarily exclaimed, while a sense of unmerited
+loss began to creep over me.
+
+"Well, the dog was mine once, at all events--though I doubt not it is
+rightfully yours now," said the young lady, with a smile that at once
+disarmed me.  "It was stolen from me a few months after I had bought it
+from this boy, who seems strangely altered since then.  I'm glad,
+however, to see that the short time I had the dog was sufficient to
+prevent its forgetting me.  But perhaps," she added, in a sad tone, "it
+would have been better if it _had_ forgotten me."
+
+My mind was made up.
+
+"No, madam," said I, with decision; "it is well that the dog has not
+forgotten you.  I would have been surprised, indeed, if it had.  It is
+yours.  I could not think of robbing you of it.  I--I--am going to visit
+a sick woman and cannot delay; forgive me if I ask permission to leave
+the dog with you until I return in the afternoon to hand it formally
+over and bid it farewell."
+
+This was said half in jest yet I felt very much in earnest, for the
+thought of parting from my doggie, even to such a fair mistress, cost me
+no small amount of pain--much to my surprise, for I had not imagined it
+possible that I could have formed so strong an attachment to a dumb
+animal in so short a time.  But, you see, being a bachelor of an
+unsocial spirit, my doggie and I had been thrown much together in the
+evenings, and had made the most of our time.
+
+The young lady half laughed, and hesitatingly thanked me as she went
+into the house, followed by Dumps, _alias_ Punch, _alias_ Pompey, who
+never so much as cast one parting glance on me as I turned to leave.  A
+shout caused me to turn again and look back.  I beheld an infant rolling
+down the drawing-room stairs like a small Alpine boulder.  A little girl
+was vainly attempting to arrest the infant, and three boys, of various
+sizes, came bounding towards the young lady with shouts of welcome.  In
+the midst of the din my doggie uttered a cry of pain, the Babel of
+children's voices was hushed by a bass growl, and the street door closed
+with a bang!
+
+"Yell, that _is_ a rum go!" exclaimed my little companion, as we walked
+slowly away.  "Don't it seem to you, now, as if it wor all a dream?"
+
+"It does, indeed," I replied, half inclined to laugh, yet with a feeling
+of sadness at my heart, for I knew that my doggie and I were parted for
+ever!  Even if the young lady should insist on my keeping the dog, I
+felt that I could not agree to do so.  No!  I had committed myself, and
+the thing was done; for it was clear that, with the mutual affection
+existing between the lady and the dog, they would not willingly consent
+to be parted--it would be cruelty even to suggest a separation.
+
+"Pshaw!" thought I, "why should the loss of a miserable dog--a mere mass
+of shapeless hair--affect me so much?  Pooh!  I will brush the subject
+away."
+
+So I brushed it away, but back it came again in spite of all my
+brushing, and insisted on remaining to trouble me.
+
+Short though our friendship had been, it had, I found, become very warm
+and strong.  I recalled a good many pleasant evenings when, seated alone
+in my room with a favourite author, I had read and tickled Dumps under
+the chin and behind the ears to such an extent that I had thoroughly
+gained his heart; and as "love begets love," I had been drawn insensibly
+yet powerfully towards him.  In short, Dumps and I understood each
+other.
+
+While I was meditating on these things my companion, who had walked
+along in silence, suddenly said--
+
+"You needn't take on so, sir, about Punch."
+
+"How d'you know I'm taking on so?"
+
+"'Cause you look so awful solemncholy.  An' there's no occasion to do
+so.  You can get the critter back again."
+
+"I fear not Slidder, for I have already given it to the young lady, and
+you have seen how fond she is of it; and the dog evidently likes her
+better than it likes me."
+
+"Yell, I ain't surprised at _that_.  It on'y proves it to be a dog of
+good taste; but you can get it back for all that."
+
+"How so?"  I asked, much amused by the decision and self-sufficiency of
+the boy's manner.
+
+"Vy, you've on'y got to go and marry the young lady, w'en, of course,
+all her property becomes yours, Punch included, don't you see?"
+
+"True, Slidder; it had not occurred to me in that light," said I,
+laughing heartily, as much at the cool and quiet insolence of the waif's
+manner as at his suggestion.  "But then, you see, there are difficulties
+in the way.  Young ladies who dwell in fine mansions are not fond of
+marrying penniless doctors."
+
+"Pooh!" replied the urchin; "that 'as nuffin' to do with it.  You've
+on'y got to set up in a 'ouse close alongside, with a big gold mortar
+over the door an' a one-'oss broom, an' you'll 'ave 'er in six months--
+or eight if she's got contrairy parents.  Then you'll want a tiger, of
+course, to 'old the 'oss; an' I knows a smart young feller whose name
+begins with a S, as would just suit.  So, you see, you've nothing to do
+but to go in an win."
+
+The precocious waif looked up in my face with such an expression of
+satisfaction as he finished this audacious speech, that I could not help
+gazing at him in blank amazement.  What I should have replied I know
+not, for we arrived just then at the abode of old Mrs Willis.
+
+The poor old lady was suffering from a severe attack of influenza,
+which, coupled with age and the depression caused by her heavy sorrow,
+had reduced her physical powers in an alarming degree.  It was obvious
+that she urgently required good food and careful nursing.  I never
+before felt so keenly my lack of money.  My means barely sufficed to
+keep myself, educational expenses being heavy.  I was a shy man, too,
+and had never made friends--at least among the rich--to whom I could
+apply on occasions like this.
+
+"Dear granny," I said, "you would get along nicely if you would consent
+to go to a hospital."
+
+"Never!" said the old lady, in a tone of decision that surprised me.
+
+"I assure you, granny, that you would be much better cared for and fed
+there than you can be here, and it would not be necessary to give up
+your room.  I would look after it until you are better."
+
+Still the old lady shook her head, which was shaking badly enough from
+age as it was.
+
+Going to the corner cupboard, in which Mrs Willis kept her little store
+of food and physic, I stood there pondering what I should do.
+
+"Please, sir," said Slidder, sidling up to me, "if you wants
+mutton-chops, or steaks, or port wine, or anythink o' that sort, just
+say the word and I'll get 'em."
+
+"You, boy--how?"
+
+"Vy, ain't the shops full of 'em?  I'd go an help myself, spite of all
+the bobbies that valks in blue."
+
+"Oh, Slidder," said I, really grieved, for I saw by his earnest face
+that he meant it, "would you go and steal after all I have said to you
+about that sin?"
+
+"Vell, sir, I wouldn't prig for myself--indeed I wouldn't--but I'd do it
+to make the old 'ooman better."
+
+"That would not change stealing into a virtue.  No, my boy, we must try
+to hit on some other way of providing for her wants."
+
+"The Lord will provide," said Mrs Willis, from the bed.
+
+She had overheard us.  I hastened to her side.
+
+"Yes, granny, He _will_ provide.  Meanwhile He has given me enough money
+to spare a little for your immediate wants.  I will send some things,
+which your kind neighbour, Mrs Jones, will cook for you.  I'll give her
+directions as I pass her door.  Slidder will go home with me and fetch
+you the medicines you require.  Now, try to sleep till Mrs Jones comes
+with the food.  You must not speak to me.  It will make you worse."
+
+"I only want to ask, John, have you any--any news about--"
+
+"No, not yet, granny; but don't be cast down.  If you can trust God for
+food, surely you can trust Him for protection, not only to yourself, but
+to Edie.  Remember the words, `Commit thy way unto the Lord, and He will
+bring it to pass.'"
+
+"Thank you, John," replied the old woman, as she sank back on her pillow
+with a little sigh.
+
+After leaving Mrs Willis I was detained so long with some of my
+patients that it was late before I could turn my steps westward.  The
+night was very cold, with a keen December wind blowing, and heavy black
+clouds driving across the dark sky.  It was after midnight as I drew
+near the neighbourhood of the house in which I had left Dumps so
+hurriedly that morning.  In my haste I had neglected to ask the name of
+the young lady with whom I had left him, or to note the number of the
+house; but I recollected its position, and resolved to go round by it
+for the purpose of ascertaining the name on the door.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+CONSPIRACY AND VILLAINY, INNOCENCE AND TRAGEDY.
+
+In one of the dirtiest of the dirty and disreputable dens of London, a
+man and a boy sat on that same dark December night engaged in earnest
+conversation.
+
+Their seats were stools, their table was an empty flour-barrel, their
+apartment a cellar.  A farthing candle stood awry in the neck of a pint
+bottle.  A broken-lipped jug of gin-and-water hot, and two cracked
+tea-cups stood between them.  The damp of the place was drawn out,
+rather than abated, by a small fire, which burned in a rusty grate, over
+which they sought to warm their hands as they conversed.  The man was
+palpably a scoundrel.  Not less so was the boy.
+
+"Slogger," said the man, in a growling voice, "we must do it this wery
+night."
+
+"Vell, Brassey, I'm game," replied the Slogger, draining his cup with a
+defiant air.
+
+"If it hadn't bin for that old 'ooman as was care-taker all last
+summer," continued the man, as he pricked a refractory tobacco-pipe,
+"we'd 'ave found the job more difficult; but, you see, she went and lost
+the key o' the back door, and the doctor he 'ad to get another.  So I
+goes an' gets round the old 'ooman, an' pumps her about the lost key,
+an' at last I finds it--d'ye see?"
+
+"But," returned the Slogger, with a knowing frown, "seems to me as how
+you'd never get two keys into one lock--eh?  The noo 'un wouldn't let
+the old 'un in, would it?"
+
+"Ah, that's where it is," replied Mr Brassey, with a leer, as he raised
+his cup to his large ugly mouth and chuckled.  "You see, the doctor's
+wife she's summat timmersome, an' looks arter the lockin' up every night
+herself--wery partikler.  Then she 'as all the keys up into her own
+bedroom o' nights--so, you see, in consikence of her uncommon care, she
+keeps all the locks clear for you and me to work upon!"
+
+The Slogger was so overcome by this instance of the result of excessive
+caution, that he laughed heartily for some minutes, and had to apply for
+relief to the hot gin-and-water.
+
+"'Ow ever did you come for to find that hout?" asked the boy.
+
+"Servants," replied the man.
+
+"Ha!" exclaimed the boy, with a wink, which would have been knowing if
+the spirits had not by that time rendered it ridiculous.
+
+"Yes, you see," continued the elder ruffian, blowing a heavy cloud of
+smoke like a cannon shot from his lips, "servants is wariable in
+character.  Some is good, an' some is bad.  I mostly take up wi' the bad
+'uns.  There's one in the doctor's 'ouse as is a prime favourite with
+me, an' knows all about the locks, she does.  But there's a noo an'
+unexpected difficulty sprung up in the way this wery mornin'."
+
+"Wot's that?" demanded the Slogger, with the air of a man prepared to
+defy all difficulties.
+
+"They've bin an' got a dog--a little dog, too; the very wust kind for
+kickin' up a row.  'Owever, it ain't the fust time you an' I 'ave met an
+conkered such a difficulty.  You'll take a bit of cat's meat in your
+pocket, you know."
+
+"Hall right!" exclaimed the young housebreaker, with a reckless toss of
+his shaggy head, as he laid his hand on the jug: but the elder scoundrel
+laid his stronger hand upon it.
+
+"Come, Slogger; no more o' that.  You've 'ad too much already.  You
+won't be fit for dooty if you take more."
+
+"It's wery 'ard on a cove," growled the lad, sulkily.
+
+Brassey looked narrowly into his face, then took up the forbidden jug,
+and himself drained it, after which he rose, grasped the boy by his
+collar, and forced him, struggling, towards a sink full of dirty water,
+into which he thrust his head, and shook it about roughly for a second
+or two.
+
+"There, that'll sober you," said the man, releasing the boy, and sending
+him into the middle of the room with a kick.  "Now, don't let your
+monkey rise, Slogger.  It's all for your good.  I'll be back in 'alf an
+hour.  See that you have the tools ready."
+
+So saying the man left the cellar, and the boy, who was much
+exasperated, though decidedly sobered, by his treatment, proceeded to
+dry himself with a jack-towel, and make preparations for the intended
+burglary.
+
+The house in regard to which such interesting preparations were being
+made was buried, at the hour I write of, in profound repose.  As its
+fate and its family have something to do with my tale, I shall describe
+it somewhat particularly.  In the basement there was an offshoot, or
+scullery, which communicated with the kitchen.  This scullery had been
+set apart that day as the bedroom of my little dog.  (Of course I knew
+nothing of this, and what I am about to relate, at that time.  I learned
+it all afterwards.)  Dumps lay sound asleep on a flannel bed, made by
+loving hands, in the bottom of a soap-box.  It lay under the shadow of a
+beer-cask--the servants' beer--a fresh cask--which, having arrived late
+that evening, had not been relegated to the cellar.  The only other
+individual who slept on the basement was the footman.
+
+That worthy, being elderly and feeble, though bold as a lion, had been
+doomed to the lower regions by his mistress, as a sure protection
+against burglars.  He went to bed nightly with a poker and a pistol so
+disposed that he could clutch them both while in the act of springing
+from bed.  This arrangement was made not to relieve his own fears, but
+by order of his mistress, with whom he could hold communication at night
+without rising, by means of a speaking-tube.
+
+John--he chanced to bear my own name--had been so long subject to night
+alarms, partly from cats careering in the back yard, and his mistress
+demanding to know, through the tube, if he heard them; partly, also,
+from frequent ringing of the night-bell, by persons who urgently wanted
+"Dr McTougall," that he had become callous in his nervous system, and
+did much of his night-work as a semi-somnambulist.
+
+The rooms on the first floor above, consisting of the dining-room,
+library, and consulting-room, etcetera, were left, as usual, tenantless
+and dark at night.  On the drawing-room floor Mrs McTougall lay in her
+comfortable bed, sound asleep and dreamless.  The poor lady had spent
+the first part of that night in considerable fear because of the
+restlessness of Dumps in his new and strange bedroom--her husband being
+absent because of a sudden call to a country patient.  The speaking-tube
+had been pretty well worked, and John had been lively in consequence--
+though patient--but at last the drowsy god had calmed the good lady into
+a state of oblivion.
+
+On the floor above, besides various bedrooms, there were the night
+nursery and the schoolroom.  In one of the bedrooms slumbered the young
+lady who had robbed me of my doggie!
+
+In the nursery were four cribs and a cradle.  Dr McTougall's family had
+come in what I may style annual progression.  Six years had he been
+married, and each year had contributed another annual to the army.
+
+The children were now ranged round the walls with mathematical
+precision--one, two, three, four, and five.  The doctor liked them all
+to be together, and the nursery, being unusually large, permitted of
+this arrangement.  A tall, powerful, sunny-tempered woman of uncertain
+age officered the army by day and guarded it by night.  Jack and Harry
+and Job and Jenny occupied the cribs, Dolly the cradle.  Each of these
+creatures had been transfixed by sleep in the very midst of some
+desperate enterprise during the earlier watches of that night, and all
+had fallen down in more or less _degage_ and reckless attitudes.  Here a
+fat fist, doubled; there a fatter leg, protruded; elsewhere a spread
+eagle was represented, with the bedclothes in a heap on its stomach; or
+a complex knot was displayed, made up of legs, sheets, blankets, and
+arms.  Subsequently the tall but faithful guardian had gone round,
+disentangled the knot, reduced the spread eagle, and straightened them
+all out.  They now lay, stiff and motionless as mummies, roseate as the
+morn, deceptively innocent, with eyes tight shut and mouths wide open--
+save in the case of Dolly, whose natural appetite could only be appeased
+by the nightly sucking of two of her own fingers.
+
+In the attics three domestics slumbered in peace.  Still higher, a
+belated cat reposed in the lee of a chimney-stack.
+
+It was a restful scene, which none but a heartless monster could have
+ventured to disturb.  Even Brassey and the Slogger had no intention of
+disturbing it--on the contrary, it was their earnest hope that they
+might accomplish their designs on the doctor's plate with as little
+disturbance as possible.  Their motto was a paraphrase, "Get the plate--
+quietly, if you can, but get the plate!"
+
+In the midst of the universal stillness, when no sound was heard save
+the sighing of the night-wind or the solemn creaking of an unsuccessful
+smoke-curer, there came a voice of alarm down the tube--
+
+"John, do you hear burglars?"
+
+"Oh, dear! no, mum, I don't."
+
+"I'm convinced I hear them at the back of the house!" tubed Mrs
+McTougall.
+
+"Indeed it ain't, mum," tubed John in reply.  "It's on'y that little dog
+as comed this morning and ain't got used to its noo 'ome yet.  It's
+a-whinin', mum; that's wot it is."
+
+"Oh! do get up, John, and put a light beside him; perhaps he's afraid of
+the dark."
+
+"Very well, mum," said John, obedient but savage.
+
+He arose, upset the poker and pistol with a hideous clatter, which was
+luckily too remote to smite horror into the heart of Mrs McTougall, and
+groped his way into the servants' hall.  Lighting a paraffin lamp, he
+went to the scullery, using very unfair and harsh language towards my
+innocent dog.
+
+"Pompey, you brute!"--the footman had already learned his name--"hold
+your noise.  There!"
+
+He set the lamp on the head of the beer cask and returned to bed.
+
+It is believed that poor perplexed Dumps viewed the midnight apparition
+with silent surprise, and wagged his tail, being friendly; then gazed at
+the lamp after the apparition had retired, until obliged to give the
+subject up, like a difficult conundrum, and finally went to sleep--
+perchance to dream--of dogs, or me!
+
+It was while Dumps was thus engaged that Brassey and the Slogger walked
+up to the front of the house and surveyed it in silence for a few
+minutes.  They also took particular observations of both ends of the
+street.
+
+"All serene," said Brassey; "now, you go round to the back and use your
+key quietly.  Give 'im the bit o' meat quick.  He won't give tongue
+arter 'e smells it, and one or two barks won't alarm the 'ouse.  So, get
+along, Slogger.  W'en you've got him snug, with a rope round 'is neck
+an' 'is head in the flannel bag, just caterwaul an' I'll come round.
+Bless the cats! they're a great help to gentlemen in our procession."
+
+Thus admonished, the Slogger chuckled and melted into the darkness,
+while Brassey mingled himself with the shadow of a pillar.
+
+The key--lost by the care-taker and found by the burglar--fitted into
+the empty lock even more perfectly than that which Mrs McTougall had
+conveyed to her mantelpiece some hours before.  It was well oiled too,
+and went round in the wards of the lock without giving a chirp, so that
+the bolt flew back with one solitary shot.  The report, however, was
+loud.  It caused Dumps to return from Dogland and raise his head with a
+decided growl.
+
+Nobody heard the growl except the Slogger, who stood perfectly still for
+nearly a minute, with his hand on the door-handle.  Then he opened the
+door slowly and softly--so slowly and softly that an alarm-bell attached
+to it did not ring.
+
+A sharp bow! wow! wow! however, greeted him as he entered, but he was
+prompt.  A small piece of meat fell directly under the nose of Dumps, as
+he stood bristling in front of his box; and, let me add, when Dumps
+bristled it was a sight to behold!
+
+"Good dog--good do-o-og," said the Slogger, in his softest and most
+insinuating tone.
+
+Dumps reduced his bark to a growl.
+
+The footman heard both bark and growl, but, attributing them to the
+influence of cats, turned on his other side and listened--not for
+burglars, innocent man, but for the tube.
+
+It was silent!  Evidently "tired nature" was, in Mrs McTougall's case,
+lulled by the "sweet restorer."  Forthwith John betook himself again to
+the land of Nod.
+
+"Have another bit?" said the Slogger in quite a friendly way, after the
+first bit had been devoured.
+
+My too trusting favourite wagged his tail and innocently accepted the
+bribe.
+
+It was good cat's meat.  Dumps liked it.  The enormous supper with which
+he had lain down was by that time nearly assimilated, and appetite had
+begun to revive.  Going down on his knee the young burglar held out a
+third morsel of temptation in his hand.  Dumps meekly advanced and took
+the meat.  It was a sad illustration of the ease with which even a dog
+descends from bad to worse.
+
+While he was engaged with it the Slogger gently patted his head.
+
+Suddenly Dumps found his muzzle grasped and held tight in a powerful
+hand.  He tried to bark and yell, but could produce nothing better than
+a scarcely audible whine.  His sides were at the same instant grasped by
+a pair of powerful knees, while a rope was twisted round his neck, and
+the process of strangulation began.
+
+But strangulation was not the Slogger's intention.  He had been
+carefully warned not to kill.
+
+"Mind, now, you don't screw 'im up too tight," Brassey had said, when
+giving the boy his instructions before starting.  "Dogs is vurth munny.
+Just 'old 'im tight and quiet till you get the flannel bag on 'is head,
+and then stand by till I've sacked the swag."
+
+Accordingly, having effected the bagging of the dog's head, the young
+burglar went to the door, holding Dumps tight in his arms, and uttered a
+pretty loud and life-like caterwaul.  Brassey heard it, emerged from the
+shade of his pillar, and was soon beside his comrade.
+
+When Dumps smelt and heard the new-comer, he redoubled his efforts to
+free his head and yell, but the Slogger was too much for him.
+
+Few words were wasted on this occasion.  The couple understood their
+work.  Brassey took up the lamp.
+
+"Wery considerate of 'em to 'ave a light all ready for us," he muttered,
+as he lowered the flame a little, and glided into the kitchen, leaving
+the Slogger on guard in the scullery.  Here he found a variety of gins
+and snares carefully placed for him--and such as he--by strict orders of
+Mrs McTougall.  Besides a swing-bell on the window shutter--similar to
+that which had done so little service on the scullery door--there was a
+coal-scuttle with the kitchen tongs balanced against it and a tin
+slop-pail in company with the kitchen shovel, and a watering-pan,
+which--the poker being already engaged to John--was balanced on its own
+rose and handle, all ready to fail with a touch.  These outworks being
+echelloned along the floor rendered it impossible for an intruder to
+cross the kitchen in the dark without overturning one or more of them.
+Thanks to the lamp, Brassey steered his way carefully and with a grim
+smile.
+
+At John Waters's door he paused and listened.  John's nose revealed his
+condition.
+
+Gliding up the stairs on shoeless feet the burglar entered the
+dining-room, picked the locks of the sideboard with marvellous celerity,
+unfolded a canvas bag, and placed therein whatever valuables he could
+lay hands on.  Proceeding next to the drawing-room floor, he began to
+examine and appropriate the articles of _vertu_ that appeared to him
+most valuable.
+
+Not being a perfect judge of such matters, Mr Brassey was naturally
+puzzled with some of them.  One in particular caused him to regard it
+with frowning attention for nearly a minute before he came to the
+conclusion that it was "vurth munny."  He placed the lamp on the small
+table near the window, from which he had lifted the ornament in
+question, and sat down on a crimson chair with gilded legs to examine it
+more critically.
+
+Meanwhile the Slogger, left in the dark with the still fitfully
+struggling Dumps, employed his leisure in running over some of the
+salient events of his past career, and in trying to ascertain, by the
+very faint light that came from a distant street-lamp, what was the
+nature of his immediate surroundings.  His nose told him that the cask
+at his elbow was beer.  His exploring right hand told him that the tap
+was in it.  His native intelligence suggested a tumbler on the head of
+the cask, and the exploring hand proved the idea to be correct.
+
+"Brassey was wery 'ard on me to-night," he thought.  "I'd like to have a
+swig."
+
+But Dumps was sadly in the way.  To remove his left hand even for an
+instant from the dog's muzzle was not to be thought of.  In this dilemma
+he resolved to tie up the said muzzle, and the legs also, even at the
+risk of causing death.  It would not take more than a minute to draw a
+tumblerful, and any dog worth a straw could hold his wind for a minute.
+He would try.  He did try, and was yet in the act of drawing the beer
+when my doggie burst his bonds by a frantic effort to be free.  Probably
+the hairy nature of his little body had rendered a firm bond impossible.
+At all events, he suddenly found his legs loose.  Another effort, more
+frantic than before, set free the muzzle, and then there arose on the
+still night air a yell so shrill, so loud, so indescribably horrible,
+that its conception must be left entirely to the reader's imagination.
+
+At the same instant Dumps scurried into the kitchen.  The scuttle and
+tongs went down, the slop-pail and shovel followed suit, also the
+watering-pan, into which latter Dumps went head foremost as it fell, and
+from its interior another yell issued with such resonant power that the
+first yell was a mere chirp by contrast.  The Slogger fled from the
+scene like an evil spirit, while John Waters sprang up and grasped the
+pistol and poker.
+
+The effect on Brassey in the drawing-room cannot be conceived, much less
+described.  He shot, as it were, out of the crimson-gilded chair and
+overturned the lamp, which burst on the floor.  Being half full of
+paraffin oil it instantly set fire to the gauze window-curtains.  The
+burglar made straight for the stairs.  John Waters, observing the light,
+dashed up the same, and the two met face to face on the landing,
+breathing hate and glaring defiance!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+RELATES A STIRRING INNOCENT.
+
+Now it was at this critical moment that I chanced to come upon the
+scene.
+
+I had just ascertained from the brass plate on the door that Dr
+McTougall dwelt there, and was thinking what an ugly unromantic name
+that was for a pretty girl as I descended the steps, when Dumps's first
+yell broke upon my astonished ears.  I recognised the voice at once,
+though I must confess that the second yell from the interior of the
+watering-pan perplexed me not a little, but the hideous clatter with
+which it was associated, and the sudden bursting out of flames in the
+drawing-room, drove all thoughts of Dumps instantly away.
+
+My first impulse was to rush to the nearest fire-station; but a wild
+shouting in the lobby of the house arrested me.  I rang the bell
+violently.  At the same moment I heard the report of a pistol, and a
+savage curse, as a bullet came crashing through the door and went close
+past my head.  Then I heard a blow, followed by a groan.  This was
+succeeded by female shrieks overhead, and the violent undoing of the
+bolts, locks, and chains of the front door.
+
+Thought is quick.  Burglary flashed into my mind!  A villainous-looking
+fellow leaped out as the door flew open.  I recognised him instantly as
+the man who had sold Dumps to me.  I put my foot in front of him.  He
+went over it with a wild pitch, and descended the steps on his nose!
+
+I was about to leap on him when a policeman came tearing round the
+corner, just in time to receive the stunned Brassey with open arms, as
+he rose and staggered forward.
+
+"Just so.  Don't give way too much to your feelings!  I'll take care of
+you, my poor unfortunate fellow," said the policeman, as a brother in
+blue came to his assistance.
+
+Already one of those ubiquitous creatures, a street-boy, had flown to
+the fire-station on the wings of hope and joy, and an engine came
+careering round the corner as I turned to rush up the stairs, which were
+already filled with smoke.
+
+I dashed in the first door I came to.  A lady, partially clothed, stood
+there pale as death, and motionless.
+
+"Quick, madam! descend! the house is on fire!"  I gasped in sharp
+sentences as I seized her.  "Where is your--your (she looked young)
+_sister_?"  I cried, as she resisted my efforts to lead her out.
+
+"I've no sister!" she shrieked.
+
+"Your daughter, then!  Quick, direct me!"
+
+"Oh! my darling!" she cried, wringing her hands.
+
+"Where?"  I shouted in desperation, for the smoke was thickening.
+
+"Up-stairs," she screamed, and rushed out, intending evidently to go up.
+
+I caught her round the waist and forced her down the stairs, thrust her
+into the arms of an ascending fireman, and then ran up again, taking
+three steps at a time.  The cry of a child attracted me.  I made for a
+door opposite, and burst it open.  The scene that presented itself was
+striking.  Out of four cribs and a cradle arose five cones of
+bed-clothes, with a pretty little curly head surmounting each cone, and
+ten eyes blazing with amazement.  A tall nurse stood erect in the middle
+of the floor with outstretched arms, glaring.
+
+Instantly I grasped a cone in each arm and bore it from the room.
+Blinded with smoke, I ran like a thunderbolt into the arms of a gigantic
+fireman.
+
+"Take it easy, sir.  You'll do far more work if you keep cool.  Straight
+on to front room!  Fire-escape's there by this time."
+
+I understood, and darted into a front room, through the window of which
+the head of the fire-escape entered at the same moment, sending glass in
+splinters all over us.  It was immediately drawn back a little, enabling
+me to throw up the window-sash and thrust the two children into the arms
+of another fireman, whose head suddenly emerged from the smoke that rose
+from the windows below.  I could see that the fire was roaring out into
+the street, and lighting up hundreds of faces below, while the steady
+clank of engines told that the brigade was busily at work fighting the
+flames.  But I had no time to look or think.  Indeed, I felt as if I had
+no power of volition properly my own, but that I acted under the strong
+impulse of another spirit within me.
+
+Darting back towards the nursery I met the first fireman dragging with
+his right hand the tall nurse, who seemed unreasonably to struggle
+against him, while in his left arm he carried two of the children, and
+the baby by its night-dress in his teeth.
+
+I saw at a glance that he had emptied the nursery, and turned to search
+for another door.  During the whole of this scene--which passed in a few
+minutes--a feeling of desperate anxiety possessed me as to the fate of
+the young lady to whom I had given up my doggie.  I felt persuaded she
+slept on the same floor with the children, and groped about the passage
+in search of another door.  By this time the smoke was so dense that I
+was all but suffocated.  A minute or two more and it would be too late.
+I could not see.  Suddenly I felt a door and kicked it open.  The black
+smoke entered with me, but it was still clear enough inside for me to
+perceive the form of a girl lying on the floor.  It was she!
+
+"Miss McTougall!"  I shouted, endeavouring to rouse her; but she had
+fainted.  Not a moment now to lose.  A lurid tongue of flame came up the
+staircase.  I rolled a blanket round the girl--head and all.  She was
+very light.  In the excitement of the moment I raised her as if she had
+been a child, and darted back towards the passage, but the few moments I
+had lost almost cost us our lives.  I knew that to breathe the dense
+smoke would be certain suffocation, and went through it holding my
+breath like a diver.  I felt as if the hot flames were playing round my
+head, and smelt the singeing of my own hair.  Another moment and I had
+reached the window, where the grim but welcome head of the escape still
+rested.  With a desperate bound I went head first into the shoot, taking
+my precious bundle along with me.
+
+A fireman chanced to be going down the shoot at the time, carefully
+piloting one of the maids who had been rescued from the attics, and
+checking his speed with outspread legs.  Against him I canonned with
+tremendous force, and sent him and his charge in a heap to the bottom.
+
+This was fortunate, for the pace at which I must have otherwise come
+down would have probably broken my neck.  As it was, I felt so stunned
+that I nearly lost consciousness.  Still I retained my senses
+sufficiently to observe a stout elderly little man in full evening
+dress, with his coat slit up behind to his neck, his face
+half-blackened, and his shaggy hair flying wildly in all directions--
+chiefly upwards.  Amid wild cheering from the crowd I confusedly heard
+the conversation that followed.
+
+"They're all accounted for now, sir," said a policeman, who supported
+me.
+
+The elderly gentleman had leaped forward with an exclamation of earnest
+thankfulness, and unrolled the blanket.
+
+"Not hurt!  No, thank God.  Lift her carefully now.  To the same
+house.--And who are you?" he added, turning and looking full at me as I
+leaned in a dazed condition on the fireman's shoulder.  I heard the
+question and saw the speaker, but could not reply.
+
+"This is the gen'leman as saved two o' the child'n an' the young lady,"
+said the tall fireman, whom I recognised as the one into whose bosom I
+had plunged on the upper floor.
+
+"Ay, an' he's the gen'leman," said another fireman, "who shoved your
+missus, sir, into my arms, w'en she was bent on runnin' up-stairs."
+
+"Is this so?" said the little gentleman, stepping forward and grasping
+my hand.
+
+Still I could not speak.  I felt as if the whole affair were a dream,
+and looked on and listened with a vacant smile.
+
+Just at that moment a long, melancholy wail rose above the roaring of
+the fire and clanking of the engines.
+
+The cry restored me at once.
+
+"Dumps! my doggie!"  I exclaimed; and, bursting through the crowd,
+rushed towards the now furiously-burning house, but strong hands
+restrained me.
+
+"What dog is it?" asked the elderly gentleman.  A man, drenched,
+blackened, and bloodstained, whom I had not before observed, here said--
+
+"A noo dog, sir, Dumps by name, come to us this wery day.  We putt 'im
+in the scullery for the night."
+
+Again I made a desperate effort to return to the burning house, but was
+restrained as before.
+
+"All right, sir," whispered a fireman in a confidential tone, "I know
+the scullery.  The fire ain't got down there yet.  Your dog can only
+have bin damaged by water as yet.  I'll save 'im sir, never fear."
+
+He went off with a quiet little nod that did much to comfort me.
+Meanwhile the elderly gentleman sought to induce me to leave the place
+and obtain refreshment in the house of a friendly neighbour, who had
+taken in his family.
+
+"You need rest, my dear sir," he said; "come, I must take you in hand.
+You have rendered me a service which I can never repay.  What?
+Obstinate!  Do you know that I am a doctor, sir, and must be obeyed?"
+
+I smiled, but refused to move until the fate of Dumps was ascertained.
+
+Presently the fireman returned with my doggie in his arms.
+
+Poor Dumps!  He was a pitiable sight.  Tons of hot water had been
+pouring on his devoted head, and his shaggy, shapeless coat was so
+plastered to his long, little body, that he looked more like a drowned
+weazel than a terrier.  He was trembling violently, and whined
+piteously, as they gave him to me; nevertheless, he attempted to wag his
+tail and lick my hands.  In both attempts he failed.  His tail was too
+wet to wag--but it wriggled.
+
+"He'd have saved himself, sir," said the man who brought him, "only
+there was a rope round his neck, which had caught on a coal-scuttle and
+held him.  He's not hurt, sir, though he do seem as if some one had bin
+tryin' to choke him."
+
+"My poor doggie!" said I, fondling him.
+
+"He won't want washin' for some time to come," observed one of the
+bystanders.
+
+There was a laugh at this.
+
+"Come; now the dog is safe you have no reason for refusing to go with
+me," said the elderly gentleman, who, I now understood, was the master
+of the burning house.
+
+As we walked away he asked my name and profession, and I thought he
+smiled with peculiar satisfaction when I said I was a student of
+medicine.
+
+"Oh, indeed!" he said; "well--we shall see.  But here we are.  This is
+the house of my good friend Dobson.  City man--capital fellow, like all
+City men--ahem!  He has put his house at my disposal at this very trying
+period of my existence."
+
+"But are you sure, Dr McTougall, that _all_ the household is saved?"  I
+asked, becoming more thoroughly awake to the tremendous reality of the
+scene through which I had just passed.
+
+"Sure! my good fellow, d'you think I'd be talking thus quietly to you if
+I were _not_ sure?  Yes, thanks to you and the firemen, under God,
+there's not a hair of their heads injured."
+
+"Are you--I beg pardon--are you quite sure?  Have you seen Miss
+McTougall since she--"
+
+"Miss McTougall!" exclaimed the doctor, with a laugh.  "D'you mean my
+little Jenny by that dignified title?"
+
+"Well, of course, I did not know her name, and she is not _very_ large;
+but I brought her down the shoot with such violence that--"
+
+An explosion of laughter from the doctor stopped me as I entered a large
+library, the powerful lights of which at first dazzled me.
+
+"Here, Dobson, let me introduce you to the man who has saved my whole
+family, and who has mistaken Miss Blythe for my Jenny!--Why, sir," he
+continued, turning to me, "the bundle you brought down so
+unceremoniously is only my governess.  Ah!  I'd give twenty thousand
+pounds down on the spot if she were only my daughter.  My Jenny will be
+a lucky woman if she grows up to be like her."
+
+"I congratulate you, Mr Mellon," said the City man, shaking me warmly
+by the hand.
+
+"You have acted with admirable promptitude--which is most important at a
+fire--and they tell me that the header you took into the escape, with
+Miss Blythe in your arms, was the finest acrobatic feat that has been
+seen off the stage."
+
+"I say, Dobson, where have you stowed my wife and the children?  I want
+to introduce him to them."
+
+"In the dining-room," returned the City man.  "You see, I thought it
+would be more agreeable that they should be all together until their
+nerves are calmed, so I had mattresses, blankets, etcetera, brought
+down.  Being a bachelor, as you know, I could do nothing more than place
+the wardrobes of my domestics at the disposal of the ladies.  The things
+are not, indeed, a very good fit, but--this way, Mr Mellon."
+
+The City man, who was tall and handsome, ushered his guests into what he
+styled his hospital, and there, ranged in a row along the wall, were
+five shakedowns, with a child on each.  Seldom have I beheld a finer
+sight than the sparkling lustre of their ten still glaring eyes!  Two
+pleasant young domestics were engaged in feeding the smaller ones with
+jam and pudding.  We arrange the words advisedly, because the jam was,
+out of all proportion, too much for the pudding.  The elder children
+were feeding themselves with the same materials, and in the same
+relative proportions.  Mrs McTougall, in a blue cotton gown with white
+spots, which belonged to the housemaid, reclined on a sofa; she was
+deadly pale, and the expression of horror was not quite removed from her
+countenance.
+
+Beside her, administering restoratives, sat Miss Blythe, in a chintz
+dress belonging to the cook, which was ridiculously too large for her.
+She was dishevelled and flushed, and looked so pleasantly anxious about
+Mrs McTougall that I almost forgave her having robbed me of my doggie.
+
+"Miss Blythe, your deliverer!" cried the little doctor, who seemed to
+delight in blowing my trumpet with the loudest possible blast; "my dear,
+your preserver!"
+
+I bowed in some confusion, and stammered something incoherently.  Mrs
+McTougall said something else, languidly, and Miss Blythe rose and held
+out her hand with a pleasant smile.
+
+"Well, if this isn't one of the very jolliest larks I ever had!"
+exclaimed Master Harry from his corner, between two enormous spoonfuls.
+
+"Hah!" exclaimed Master Jack.
+
+He could say no more.  He was too busy!
+
+We all laughed, and, much to my relief, general attention was turned to
+the little ones.
+
+"You young scamps!--the `lark' will cost me some thousands of pounds,"
+said the doctor.
+
+"Never mind, papa.  Just go to the bank and they'll give you as much as
+you want."
+
+"More pooding!" demanded Master Job.  The pleasant-faced domestic
+hesitated.
+
+"Oh! give it him.  Act the banker on this occasion, and give him as much
+as he wants," said the doctor.
+
+"Good papa!" exclaimed the overjoyed Jenny; "how I wis' we had a house
+on fire every night!"
+
+Even Dolly crowed with delight at this, as if she really appreciated the
+idea, and continued her own supper with increased fervour.
+
+Thus did that remarkable family spend the small hours of that morning,
+while their home was being burned to ashes.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+MY CIRCUMSTANCES BEGIN TO BRIGHTEN.
+
+"Robin," said old Mrs Willis from her bed, in the wheeziest of voices.
+
+"Who's Robin, granny?" demanded young Slidder, in some surprise, looking
+over his shoulder as he stooped at the fire to stir a pan of gruel.
+
+"You are Robin," returned the old lady following up the remark with a
+feeble sneeze.  "I can't stand Slidder.  It is such an ugly name.
+Besides, you ought to have a Christian name, child.  Don't you like
+Robin?"
+
+The boy chuckled a little as he stirred the gruel.
+
+"Vell, I ain't had it long enough to 'ave made up my mind on the p'int,
+but you may call me wot you please, granny, s'long as you don't swear.
+I'll answer to Robin, or Bobin, or Dobin, or Nobin, or Flogin--no, by
+the way, I won't answer to Flogin.  I don't like that.  But why call me
+Robin?"
+
+"Ah!" sighed the old woman, "because I once had a dear little son so
+named.  He died when he was about your age, and your kindly ways are so
+like his that--"
+
+"Hallo, granny!" interrupted Slidder, standing up with a look of intense
+surprise, "are you took bad?"
+
+"No.  Why?"
+
+"'Cause you said suthin' about _my ways_ that looks suspicious."
+
+"Did I, Robin?  I didn't mean to.  But as I was saying, I'd like to call
+you Robin because it reminds me of my little darling who is now in
+heaven.  Ah!  Robin was so gentle, and loving, and tender, and true, and
+kind.  He _was_ a good boy!"
+
+A wheezing, which culminated in another feeble sneeze, here silenced the
+poor old thing.
+
+For some minutes after that Slidder devoted himself to vigorous stirring
+of the gruel, and to repressed laughter, which latter made him very red
+in the face, and caused his shoulders to heave convulsively.  At last he
+sought relief in occasional mutterings.
+
+"On'y think!" he said, quoting Mrs Willis's words, in a scarcely
+audible whisper, "`so gentle, an' lovin', an' tender, an' true, an'
+kind'--an' sitch a good boy too--an' _my_ kindly ways is like _his_, are
+they?  Well, well, Mrs W, it's quite clear that a loo-natic asylum must
+be your native 'ome arter this."
+
+"What are you muttering about, Robin?"
+
+"Nuffin' partikler, granny.  On'y suthin' about your futur' prospec's.
+The gruel's ready, I think.  Will you 'ave it now, or vait till you get
+it?"
+
+"There--even in your little touches of humour you're so like him!" said
+the old woman, with a mingled smile and sneeze, as she slowly rose to a
+sitting posture, making a cone of the bedclothes with her knees, on
+which she laid her thin hands.
+
+"Come now, old 'ooman," said Slidder seriously, "if you go on jokin'
+like that you'll make me larf and spill your gruel--p'raps let it fall
+bash on the floor.  There!  Don't let it tumble off your knees, now; I'd
+adwise you to lower 'em for the time bein'.  Here's the spoon; it ain't
+as bright as I could wish, but you can't expect much of pewter; an' the
+napkin--that's your sort; an' the bit of bread--which it isn't too much
+for a 'ealthy happetite.  Now then, granny, go in and win!"
+
+"_So_ like," murmured the old woman, as she gazed in Slidder's face.
+"And it is so good of you to give up your play and come to look after a
+helpless old creature like me."
+
+"Yes, it _is_ wery good of me," assented the boy, with an air of
+profound gravity; "I was used to sleep under a damp archway or in a wet
+cask, _now_ I slumbers in a 'ouse by a fire, under a blankit.  Vunce on
+a time I got wittles any'ow--sometimes didn't get 'em at all; _now_ I
+'ave 'em riglar, as well as good, an' 'ot.  In wot poets call `the days
+gone by'--an' nights too, let me tell you--I wos kicked an' cuffed by
+everybody, an' 'unted to death by bobbies.  _Now_ I'm--let alone!
+'Eavenly condition--let _alone_! sometimes even complimented with such
+pleasant greetings as `Go it, Ginger!' or `Does your mother know you're
+out?'  Oh yes, granny!  I made great sacrifices, I did, w'en I come 'ere
+to look arter _you_!"
+
+Mrs Willis smiled, sneezed, and began her gruel.  Slidder, who looked
+at her with deep interest, was called away by a knock at the door.
+Opening it he beheld a tall footman, with a parcel in his hand.
+
+"Does a Mrs Willis live here?" he asked.
+
+"No," replied Slidder; "a Mrs Willis don't live here, but _the_ Mrs
+Willis--the on'y one vurth speakin' of--does."
+
+"Ah!" replied the man, with a smile--for he was an amiable footman--"and
+I suppose you are young Slidder?"
+
+"I am _Mister_ Slidder, sir!  And I would 'ave you remember," said the
+urchin, with dignity, "that every Englishman's 'ouse is his castle, and
+that neither imperence nor flunkies 'as a right to enter."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the man, with affected surprise, "then I'm afraid
+this castle can't be a strong one, or it ain't well guarded, for
+`Imperence' got into it somehow when _you_ entered."
+
+"Good, good!" returned the boy, with the air of a connoisseur; "that's
+worthy of the East End.  You should 'ave bin one of us.--Now then, old
+six-foot! wot's your business?"
+
+"To deliver this parcel."
+
+"'And it over, then."
+
+"But I am also to see Mrs Willis, and ask how she is."
+
+"Walk in, then, an' wipe your feet.  We ain't got a door-mat to-day.
+It's a-comin', like Christmas; but you may use the boards in the
+meantime."
+
+The footman turned out to be a pleasant, gossipy man, and soon won the
+hearts of old Mrs Willis and her young guardian.  He had been sent, he
+said, by a Dr McTougall with a parcel containing wine, tea, sugar,
+rice, and a few other articles of food, and with a message that the
+doctor would call and see Mrs Willis that afternoon.
+
+"Deary me, that's very kind," said the old woman; "but I wonder why he
+sent such things to me, and who told him I was in want of 'em?"
+
+"It was a young gentleman who rescued most of the doctor's family from a
+fire last night.  His name, I believe, is Mellon--"
+
+"Wot!  Doctor John Mellon?" exclaimed Slidder, with widening eyes.
+
+"Whether he's John or doctor I cannot tell.  All I know is that he's
+_Mister_ Mellon, and he's bin rather knocked up by--But, bless me, I
+forgot: I was to say nothing about the--the fire till Dr McTougall had
+seen you.  How stoopid of me; but things _will_ slip out!"
+
+He stopped abruptly, and placed his brown paper parcel on the bed.
+
+"Now, I say, look here, Mister Six-foot or wotever's your name," said
+Slidder, with intense eagerness.  "It's of no use your tyin' up the
+mouth o' the bag now.  The cat's got out an' can't be got in again by no
+manner o' means.  Just make a clean breast of it, an' tell it all out
+like a man,--there's a good feller!  If you don't, I'll tell Dr
+McTougall that you gave me an' the old lady a full, true, an' partikler
+account o' the whole affair, from the fust bustin' out o' the flames,
+an' the calling o' the _ingines_, to the last crash o' the fallin' roof,
+and the roastin' alive of the 'ousehold cat.  I will, as sure as you're
+a six-foot flunkey!"
+
+Thus adjured and threatened, the gossipy footman made a clean breast of
+it.  He told them how that I had acted like a hero at the fire, and
+then, after giving, in minute detail, an account of all that the reader
+already knows, he went on to say that the whole family, except Dr
+McTougall, was laid up with colds; that the governess was in a high
+fever; that the maid-servants, having been rescued on the shoulders of
+firemen from the attics, were completely broken down in their nerves;
+and that I had received an injury to my right leg, which, although I had
+said nothing about it on the night of the fire, had become so much worse
+in the morning that I could scarcely walk across the room.  In these
+circumstances, he added, Dr McTougall had agreed to visit my poor
+people for me until I should recover.
+
+"You see," continued the footman, "I only heard a little of their
+conversation.  Dr McTougall was saying when I come into the room:
+`Well, Mr Mellon,' he said, `you must of necessity remain where you
+are, and you could not, let me tell you, be in better quarters.  I will
+look after your patients till you are able to go about again--which
+won't be long, I hope--and I'll make a particular note of your old
+woman, and send her some wine and things immediately.'  I suppose he
+meant you, ma'am," added the footman, "but having to leave the room
+again owing to some of the children howling for jam and pudding, I heard
+no more."
+
+Having thus delivered himself of his tale and parcel, the tall footman
+took his leave with many expressions of good-will.
+
+"Now, granny," remarked young Slidder, as he untied the parcel, and
+spread its contents on the small deal table, "I've got a wague suspicion
+that the 'ouse w'ich 'as gone to hashes is the wery 'ouse in w'ich Dr
+Mellon put his little dog last night.  'Cause why?  Ain't it the same
+identical street, an' the same side o' the street, and about the same
+part o' the street?  An' didn't both him and me forgit to ask the name
+o' the people o' the 'ouse, or to look at the number--so took up was we
+with partin' from Punch?  Wot more nat'ral than for him to go round on
+'is way back to look at the 'ouse--supposin' he was too late to call?
+Then, didn't that six-footer say a terrier dog _was_ reskooed from the
+lower premises?  To be sure there's many a terrier dog in London, but
+then didn't he likewise say that the gov'ness o' the family is a pretty
+gal?  Wot more likely than that she's _my_ young lady?  All that, you
+see, granny, is what the magistrates would call presumptuous evidence.
+But I'll go and inquire for myself this wery evenin' w'en you're all
+settled an comf'rable, an' w'en I've got Mrs Jones to look arter you."
+
+That evening, accordingly, when Robin Slidder--as I shall now call him--
+was away making his inquiries, Dr McTougall called on Mrs Willis.  She
+was very weak and low at the time.  The memory of her lost Edie had been
+heavy upon her, and she felt strangely disinclined to talk.  The kindly
+doctor did not disturb her more than was sufficient to fully investigate
+her case.
+
+When about to depart he took Mrs Jones into the passage.
+
+"Now, my good woman," he said, "I hope you will see the instructions you
+heard me give to Mrs Willis carried out.  She is very low, but with
+good food and careful nursing may do well.  Can you give her much of
+your time?"
+
+"La, sir! yes.  I'm a lone woman, sir, with nothin' to do but take care
+of myself; an' I'm that fond of Mrs Willis--she's like my own mother."
+
+"Very good.  And what of this boy who has come to live with her?  D'you
+think he is steady--to be depended on?"
+
+"Indeed I do, sir!" replied Mrs Jones, with much earnestness.  "Though
+he did come from nowheres in partiklar, an' don't b'long to nobody, he's
+a good boy, is little Slidder, and a better nurse you'll not find in all
+the hospitals."
+
+"I wish I had found him at home.  Will you give him this card, and tell
+him to call on me to-morrow morning between eight and nine?  Let him ask
+particularly for me--Dr McTougall.  I'm not in my own house, but in a
+friend's at present; I was burnt out of my house last night."
+
+"Oh, sir!" exclaimed Mrs Jones with a shocked expression.
+
+"Yes; accidents will happen, you know, to the most careful among us,
+Mrs Jones," said the little doctor, with a smile, as he drew on his
+gloves.  "Good evening.  Take care of your patient now; I'm much
+interested in her case--because of the young doctor who visits her
+sometimes."
+
+"Dr Mellon?" exclaimed the woman.
+
+"Yes.  You know him?"
+
+"Know him!  I should think I do!  He has great consideration for the
+poor.  Ah! he _is_ a gentleman, is Mr Mellon!"
+
+"He is more than a gentleman, Mrs Jones," said the little doctor with a
+kindly nod, as he turned and hurried away.
+
+It may perhaps seem to savour of vanity and egotism my recording this
+conversation, but I do it chiefly for the purpose of showing how much of
+hearty gratitude there is for mere trifles among the poor, for the woman
+who was thus complimentary to me never received a farthing of money from
+my hands, and I am not aware of having ever taken any notice of her,
+except now and then wishing her a respectful good-evening, and making a
+few inquiries as to her health.
+
+That night Dr McTougall came to me, on returning from his rounds, to
+report upon my district.  I was in bed at the time, and suffering
+considerable pain from my bruised and swollen limb.  Dumps was lying at
+my feet--dried, refreshed, and none the worse for his adventures.  I may
+mention that I occupied a comfortable room in the house of the "City
+man," who insisted on my staying with him until I should be quite able
+to walk to my lodgings.  As Dr McTougall had taken my district, a brief
+note to Mrs Miff, my landlady, relieved my mind of all anxieties,
+professional and domestic, so that my doggie and I could enjoy ourselves
+as well as the swollen leg would permit.
+
+"My dear young friend," said the little doctor, as he entered, "your
+patients are all going on admirably, and as I mean to send my assistant
+to them regularly, you may make your mind quite easy.  I've seen your
+old woman too, and she is charming.  I don't wonder you lost your heart
+to her.  Your young _protege_, however, was absent--the scamp!--but he
+had provided a good nurse to take his place in the person of Mrs
+Jones."
+
+"I know her--well," said I; "she is a capital nurse.  Little Slidder
+has, I am told, been here in your absence, but unfortunately the maid
+who opened the door to him would not let him see me, as I happened to be
+asleep at the time.  However, he'll be sure to call again.  But you have
+not told me yet how Miss Blythe is."
+
+"Well, I've not had time to tell you," replied the doctor, with a smile.
+"I'm sorry to say she is rather feverish; the excitement and exposure
+to the night air were a severe trial to her, for although she is
+naturally strong, it is not long since she recovered from a severe
+illness.  Nothing, however, surprises me so much as the way in which my
+dear wife has come through it all.  It seems to have given her quite a
+turn in the right direction.  Why, she used to be as timid as a mouse!
+Now she scoffs at burglars.  After what occurred last night she says she
+will fear nothing under the sun.  Isn't it odd?  As for the children,
+I'm afraid the event has roused all that is wild and savage in their
+natures!  They were kicking up a horrible shindy when I passed the
+dining-room--the hospital, as Dobson calls it--so I opened the door and
+peeped in.  There they were, all standing up on their beds, shouting
+`Fire! fire! p'leece! p'leece!--engines! escapes!  Come qui-i-i-ck!'
+
+"`Silence!'  I shouted.
+
+"`Oh, papa!' they screamed, in delight, `what _do_ you think we've had
+for supper?'
+
+"`Well, what?'
+
+"`Pudding and jam-pudding and jam--nearly _all_ jam!'
+
+"Then they burst again into a chorus of yells for engines and
+fire-escapes, while little Dolly's voice rang high above the rest
+`Pudding and dam!--_all_ dam!--p'leece! p'leece! fire and feeves!' as I
+shut the door.
+
+"But now, a word in your ear before I leave you for the night.  Perhaps
+it may not surprise you to be told that I have an extensive practice.
+After getting into a new house, which I must do immediately, I shall
+want an assistant, who may in course of time, perhaps, become a partner.
+D'you understand?  Are you open to a proposal?"
+
+"My dear sir," said I, "your kindness is very great, but you know that I
+am not yet--"
+
+"Yes, yes, I know all about that.  I merely wish to inject an idea into
+your brain, and leave it there to fructify.  Go to sleep now, my dear
+young fellow, and let me wish you agreeable dreams."
+
+With a warm squeeze of the hand, and a pleasant nod, my new friend said
+good-night, and left me to my meditations.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHT.
+
+LITTLE SLIDDER RESISTS TEMPTATION SUCCESSFULLY, AND I BECOME ENSLAVED.
+
+"Pompey," said I, one afternoon, while reclining on the sofa in Dobson's
+drawing-room, my leg being not yet sufficiently restored to admit of my
+going out--"Pompey, I've got news for you."
+
+To my surprise my doggie would not answer to that name at all when I
+used it, though he did so when it was used by Miss Blythe.
+
+"Dumps!"  I said, in a somewhat injured tone.
+
+Ears and tail at once replied.
+
+"Come now, Punch," I said, rather sternly; "I'll call you what I
+please--Punch, Dumps, or Pompey--because you are _my_ dog still, at
+least as long as your mistress and I live under the same roof; so, sir,
+if you take the Dumps when I call you Pompey, I'll punch your head for
+you."
+
+Evidently the dog thought this a very flat jest, for he paid no
+attention to it whatever.
+
+"Now, Dumps, come here and let's be friends.  Who do you think is coming
+to stay with us--to stay altogether?  You'll never guess.  Your old
+friend and first master, little Slidder, no less.  Think of that!"
+
+Dumps wagged his tail vigorously; whether at the news, or because of
+pleasure at my brushing the hair off his soft brown eyes, and looking
+into them, I cannot tell.
+
+"Yes," I continued, "it's quite true.  This fire will apparently be the
+making of little Slidder, as well as you and me, for we are all going to
+live and work together.  Isn't that nice?  Evidently Dr McTougall is a
+trump, and so is his friend Dobson, who puts this fine mansion at his
+disposal until another home can be got ready for us."
+
+I was interrupted at this point by an uproarious burst of laughter from
+the doctor himself, who had entered by the open door unobserved by me.
+I joined in the laugh against myself, but blushed, nevertheless, for man
+does not like, as a rule, to be caught talking earnestly either to
+himself or to a dumb creature.
+
+"Why, Mellon," he said, sitting down beside me, and patting my dog, "I
+imagined from your tones, as I entered, that you were having some
+serious conversation with my wife."
+
+"No; Mrs McTougall has not yet returned from her drive.  I was merely
+having a chat with Dumps.  I had of late, in my lodgings, got into a way
+of thinking aloud, as it were, while talking to my dog.  I suppose it
+was with an unconscious desire to break the silence of my room."
+
+"No doubt, no doubt," replied the doctor, with a touch of sympathy in
+his tone.  "You must have been rather lonely in that attic of yours.
+And yet do you know, I sometimes sigh for the quiet of such an attic!
+Perhaps when you've been some months under the same roof with these
+miniature thunderstorms, Jack, Harry, Job, Jenny, and Dolly, you'll long
+to go back to the attic."
+
+A tremendous thump on the floor overhead, followed by a wild uproar,
+sent the doctor upstairs--three steps at a stride.  I sat prudently
+still till he returned, which he did in a few minutes, laughing.
+
+"What d'you think it was?" he cried, panting.  "Only my Dolly tumbling
+off the chest of drawers.  My babes have many pleasant little games.
+Among others, cutting off the heads of dreadful traitors is a great
+favourite.  They roll up a sheet into a ball for the head.  Then each of
+them is led in turn to the scaffold, which is the top of a chest of
+drawers.  One holds the ball against the criminal's shoulders, another
+cuts it off with a wooden knife, a basket receives it below, then one of
+them takes it out, and, holding it aloft shouts `Behold the head of a
+traitor!'  It seems that four criminals had been safely decapitated, and
+Dolly was being led to the fatal block, when she slipped her foot and
+fell to the ground, overturning Harry and a chair in her descent.  That
+was all."
+
+"Not hurt, I hope?"
+
+"Oh no!  They never get hurt--seriously hurt, I mean.  As to
+black-and-blue shins, scratches, cuts, and bumps, they may be said to
+exist in a perpetually maimed condition."
+
+"Strange!" said I musingly, "that they should like to play at such a
+disagreeable subject."
+
+"Disagreeable!" exclaimed my friend, "pooh! that's nothing.  You should
+see them playing at the horrors of the Inquisition.  My poor wife
+sometimes shudders at the idea that we have been gifted with five
+monsters of cruelty, but any one can see with half an eye that it is a
+fine sense of the propriety of retributive justice that influences
+them."
+
+"Any one who chooses to go and look at the five innocent faces when they
+are asleep," said I, laughing, "can see with a _quarter_ of an eye that
+you and Mrs McTougall are to be congratulated on the nature of your
+little ones."
+
+"Of course we are, my dear fellow," returned the doctor with enthusiasm.
+"But--to change the subject--has little Slidder been here to-day?"
+
+"Not that I know of."
+
+"Ah! there he is" said the doctor, as, at that instant, the door-bell
+rang; "there is insolence in the very tone of his ring.  He has pulled
+the visitor's bell, too, and there goes the knocker!  Of all the imps
+that walk, a London street-boy is--" The sentence was cut short by the
+opening of the door and the entrance of my little _protege_.  He had
+evidently got himself up for the occasion, for his shoeblack uniform had
+been well brushed, his hands and face severely washed, and his hair
+plastered well down with soap-and-water.
+
+"Come in, Slidder--that's your name, isn't it?" said the doctor.
+
+"It is, sir--Robin Slidder, at your sarvice," replied the urchin, giving
+me a familiar nod.  "'Ope your leg ain't so cranky as it wos, sir.
+Gittin' all square, eh?"
+
+I repressed a smile with difficulty as I replied--"It is much better,
+thank you.  Attend to what Dr McTougall has to say to you."
+
+"Hall serene," he replied, looking with cool urbanity in the doctor's
+face, "fire away!"
+
+"You're a shoeblack, I see," said the doctor.
+
+"That's my purfession."
+
+"Do you like it?"
+
+"Vell, w'en it's dirty weather, with lots o' mud, an' coppers goin', I
+does.  W'en it's all sunshine an' starwation, I doesn't."
+
+"My friend Mr Mellon tells me that you're a very good boy."
+
+Little Slidder looked at me with a solemn, reproachful air.
+
+"Oh! _what_ a wopper!" he said.
+
+We both laughed at this.
+
+"Come, Slidder," said I, "you must learn to treat us with more respect,
+else I shall have to change my opinion of you."
+
+"Wery good, sir, that's _your_ business, not mine.  I wos inwited here,
+an' here I am.  Now, wot 'ave you got to say to me?--that's the p'int."
+
+"Can you read and write?" resumed the doctor.
+
+"Cern'ly not," replied the boy, with the air of one who had been
+insulted; "wot d'you take me for?  D'you think I'm a genius as can read
+an' write without 'avin' bin taught or d'you think I'm a monster as wos
+born readin' an' writin'?  I've 'ad no school to go to nor nobody to
+putt me there."
+
+"I thought the School Board looked after such as you."
+
+"So they does, sir; but I've been too many for the school-boarders."
+
+"Then it's your own fault that you've not been taught?" said the doctor,
+somewhat severely.
+
+"Not at all," returned the urchin, with quiet assurance.  "It's the
+dooty o' the school-boarders to ketch me, an' they can't ketch me.
+That's not my fault.  It's my superiority."
+
+My friend looked at the little creature before him with much surprise.
+After a few seconds' contemplation and thought, he continued--"Well,
+Slidder, as my friend here says you are a good sort of boy, I am bound
+to believe him, though appearances are somewhat against you.  Now, I am
+in want of a smart boy at present, to attend to the hall-door, show
+patients into my consulting-room, run messages--in short, make himself
+generally useful about the house.  How would such a situation suit you?"
+
+"W'y, doctor," said the boy, ignoring the question, "how could any boy
+attend on your 'all-door w'en it's burnt to hashes?"
+
+"We will manage to have another door," replied Dr McTougall, with a
+forbearing smile; "meanwhile you could practise on the door of this
+house.--But that is not answering my question, boy.  How would you like
+the place?  You'd have light work, a good salary, pleasant society below
+stairs, and a blue uniform.  In short, I'd make a page-in-buttons of
+you."
+
+"Wot about the wittles?" demanded this remarkable boy.
+
+"Of course you'd fare as well as the other servants," returned the
+doctor, rather testily, for his opinion of my little friend was rapidly
+falling; I could see that, to my regret.
+
+"Now give me an answer at once," he continued sharply.  "Would you like
+to come?"
+
+"Not by no manner of means," replied Slidder promptly.
+
+We both looked at him in amazement.
+
+"Why, Slidder, you stupid fellow!" said I, "what possesses you to refuse
+so good an offer?"
+
+"Dr Mellon," he replied, turning on me with a flush of unwonted
+earnestness, "d'you think I'd be so shabby, so low, so mean, as to go
+an' forsake Granny Willis for all the light work an' good salaries and
+pleasant society an' blue-uniforms-with-buttons in London?  Who'd make
+'er gruel?  Who'd polish 'er shoes every mornin' till you could see to
+shave in 'em, though she don't never put 'em on?  Who'd make 'er bed an'
+light 'er fires an' fetch 'er odd bits o' coal?  An' who'd read the noos
+to 'er, an'--"
+
+"Why, Slidder," interrupted Dr McTougall, "you said just now that you
+could not read."
+
+"No more I can, sir but I takes in a old newspaper to 'er every
+morning', an' sets myself down by the fire with it before me an'
+pretends to read.  I inwents the noos as I goes along; an you should see
+that old lady's face, an' the way 'er eyes opens we'n I'm a tapin' off
+the murders an' the 'ighway robberies, an' the burglaries an' the fires
+at 'ome, an' the wars an' earthquakes an' other scrimmages abroad.  It
+do cheer 'er up most wonderful.  Of course, I stick in any hodd bits o'
+real noos I 'appens to git hold of, but I ain't partickler."
+
+"Apparently not," said the doctor, laughing.  "Well, I see it's of no
+use tempting you to forsake your present position--indeed, I would not
+wish you to leave it.  Some day I may find means to have old Mrs Willis
+taken better care of, and then--well, we shall see.  Meanwhile, I
+respect your feelings.  Good-bye, and give my regards to granny.  Say
+I'll be over to see her soon."
+
+"Stay," said I, as the boy turned to leave, "you never told me that one
+of your names was Robin."
+
+"'Cause it wasn't w'en I saw you last; I only got it a few days ago."
+
+"Indeed!  From whom?"
+
+"From Granny Willis.  She gave me the name, an' I likes it, an' mean to
+stick by it--Good arternoon, gen'lemen.  Ta, ta, Punch."
+
+At the word my doggie bounced from under my hand and began to leap
+joyfully round the boy.
+
+"I say," said Robin, pausing at the door and looking back, "_she's_ all
+right I 'ope.  Gittin' better?"
+
+"Who do you mean?"
+
+"W'y, the guv'ness, in course--my young lady."
+
+"Oh, yes!  I am happy to say she is better," said the doctor, much
+amused by the anxious look of the face, which had hitherto been the
+quintessence of cool self-possession.  "But she has had a great shake,
+and will have to be sent to the country for change of air when we can
+venture to move her."
+
+I confess that I was much surprised, but not a little gratified, by the
+very decided manner in which Slidder avowed his determination to stand
+fast by the poor old woman in whom I had been led to take so strong an
+interest.  Hitherto I had felt some uncertainty as to how far I could
+depend on the boy's affection for Mrs Willis, and his steadiness of
+purpose; now I felt quite sure of him.
+
+Dr McTougall felt as I did in the matter, and so did his friend the
+City man.  I had half expected that Dobson would have laughed at us for
+what he sometimes styled our softness, because he had so much to do with
+sharpers and sharp practice, but I was mistaken.  He quite agreed with
+us in our opinion of my little waif, and spoke admiringly of those who
+sought, through evil and good report, to rescue our "City Arabs" from
+destruction.  And Dobson did more than speak: he gave liberally out of
+his ample fortune to the good cause.
+
+That evening, just after the gas was lighted, while I was lying on the
+sofa thinking of these things, and toying with Dumps's ears, the door
+opened and Mrs McTougall entered, with Miss Blythe leaning on her arm.
+It was the first time she had come down to the drawing-room since her
+illness.  She was thin, and pale, but to my mind more beautiful than
+ever, for her brown eyes seemed to grow larger and more lustrous as they
+beamed upon me.
+
+I leaped up, sending an agonising shoot of pain through my leg, and
+hastened to meet her.  Dumps, as if jealous of me, sprang wildly on
+before, and danced round his mistress in a whirlwind of delight.
+
+"I am so glad to see you, Miss Blythe," I stammered; "I had feared the
+consequences of that terrible night--that rude descent.  You--you--are
+better, I--"
+
+"Thank you; _very_ much better," she replied, with a sweet smile; "and
+how shall I ever express my debt of gratitude to you, Mr Mellon?"
+
+She extended her delicate hand.  I grasped it; she shook mine heartily.
+
+That shake fixed my fate.  No doubt it was the simple and natural
+expression of a grateful heart for a really important service; but I
+cared nothing about that.  She blushed as I looked at her, and stooped
+to pat the jealous and impatient Dumps.
+
+"Sit here, darling, on this easy-chair," said Mrs McTougall; "you know
+the doctor allows you only half an hour--or an hour at most--to-night;
+you may be up longer to-morrow.  There; and you are not to speak much,
+remember.--Mr Mellon, you must address yourself to me.  Lilly is only
+allowed to listen.
+
+"Yes, as you truly said, Mr Mellon," continued the good lady, who was
+somewhat garrulous, "her descent was rough, and indeed, so was mine.
+Oh!  I shall never forget that rough monster into whose arms you thrust
+me that awful night; but he was a brave and strong monster too.  He just
+gathered me up like a bundle of clothes, and went crashing down the
+blazing stair, through fire and smoke--and through bricks and mortar
+too, it seemed to me, from the noise and shocks.  But we came out safe,
+thank God, and I had not a scratch, though I noticed that my monster's
+hair and beard were on fire, and his face was cut and bleeding.  I can't
+think how he carried me so safely."
+
+"Ah! the firemen have a knack of doing that sort of thing," said I,
+speaking to Mrs McTougall, but looking at Lilly Blythe.
+
+"So I have heard.  The brave, noble men," said Lilly, speaking to Mrs
+McTougall, but looking at me.
+
+I know not what we conversed about during the remainder of that hour.
+Whether I talked sense or nonsense I cannot tell.  The only thing I am
+quite sure of is that I talked incessantly, enthusiastically, to Mrs
+McTougall, but kept my eyes fixed on Lilly Blythe all the time; and I
+know that Lilly blushed a good deal, and bent her pretty head frequently
+over her "darling Pompey," and fondled him to his heart's content.
+
+That night my leg violently resented the treatment it had received.
+When I slept I dreamed that I was on the rack, and that Miss Blythe,
+strange to say, was the chief tormentor, while Dumps quietly looked on
+and laughed--yes, deliberately laughed--at my sufferings.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINE.
+
+ON THE SCENT, BUT PUZZLED.
+
+It was a considerable time after the fire before my leg permitted me to
+resume my studies and my duties among the poor.  Meanwhile I had become
+a regularly-established inmate of Mr Dobson's house, and was
+half-jocularly styled "Dr McTougall's assistant."
+
+I confess that I had some hesitation at first in accepting such generous
+hospitality, but, feeling that I could not help myself till my leg
+should recover, I became reconciled to it.  Then, as time advanced,
+the doctor--who was an experimental chemist, as well as a
+Jack-of-all-trades--found me so useful to him in his laboratory, that I
+felt I was really earning my board and lodging.  Meanwhile Lilly Blythe
+had been sent to visit an aunt of Dr McTougall's in Kent for the
+benefit of her health.
+
+This was well.  I felt it to be so.  I knew that her presence would have
+a disturbing influence on my studies, which were by that time nearly
+completed.  I felt, also, that it was madness in me to fall in love with
+a girl whom I could not hope to marry for years, even if she were
+willing to have me at all, which I very much doubted.
+
+I therefore resolved to put the subject away from me, and devote myself
+heartily to my profession, in the spirit of that Word which tells us
+that whatsoever our hands find to do we should do it with our might.
+
+Success attended my efforts.  I passed all my examinations with credit,
+and became not only a fixture in the doctor's family, but as he
+earnestly assured me, a very great help to him.
+
+Of course I did not mention the state of my feelings towards Lilly
+Blythe to any one--not being in the habit of having confidants--except
+indeed, to Dumps.  In the snug little room just over the front door,
+which had been given to me as a study, I was wont to pour out many of my
+secret thoughts to my doggie, as he sat before me with cocked ears and
+demonstrative tail.
+
+"You've been the making of me, Dumps," said I, one evening, not long
+after I had reached the first round of the ladder of my profession.  "It
+was you who introduced me to Lilly Blythe, and through her to Dr
+McTougall, and you may be sure I shall never forget that!  Nay, you must
+not be too demonstrative.  When your mistress left you under my care she
+said, half-jocularly, no doubt that I was not to steal your heart from
+her.  Wasn't that absurd, eh?  As if any heart could be stolen from
+_her_!  Of course I cannot regain your heart, Dumps, and I will not even
+attempt it--`Honour bright,' as Robin Slidder says.  By the way, that
+reminds me that I promised to go down to see old Mrs Willis this very
+night, so I'll leave you to the tender mercies of the little
+McTougalls."
+
+As I walked down the Strand my last remark to Dumps recurred to me, and
+I could not help smiling as I thought of the "tender mercies" to which I
+had referred.  The reader already knows that the juvenile McTougalls
+were somewhat bloodthirsty in their notions of play.  When Dumps was
+introduced to their nursery--by that time transferred from Dobson's
+dining-room to an upper floor--they at once adopted him with open arms.
+Dumps seemed to be willing, and, fortunately, turned out to be a dog of
+exceptionally good-nature.  He was also tough.  No amount of squeezing,
+bruising, pulling of the ears or tail, or falling upon him, either
+accidentally or on purpose, could induce him to bite.  He did, indeed,
+yell hideously at times, when much hurt, and he snarled, barked, yelped,
+growled, and showed his teeth continually, but it was all in play, for
+he was dearly fond of romps.
+
+Fortunately, the tall nurse had been born without nerves.  She was wont
+to sit serene in a corner, darning innumerable socks, while a tornado
+was going on around her.  Dumps became a sort of continual sacrifice.
+On all occasions when a criminal was to be decapitated, a burglar
+hanged, or a martyr burned, Dumps was the victim; and many a time was he
+rescued from impending and real death by the watchful nurse, who was too
+well aware of the innocent ignorance of her ferocious charges to leave
+Dumps entirely to their tender mercies.
+
+On reaching Mrs Willis's little dwelling, I found young Slidder
+officiating at the tea-table.  I could not resist watching him a moment
+through a crack in the door before entering.
+
+"Now then," said he, "'ere you are!  Set to work, old Sneezer, with a
+will!"
+
+The boy had got into a facetious way of calling Mrs Willis by any term
+of endearment that suggested itself at the moment, which would have been
+highly improper and disrespectful if it had not been the outflow of pure
+affection.
+
+The crack in the door was not large enough to permit of my seeing Mrs
+Willis herself as she sat in her accustomed window with the
+spout-and-chimney-pot view.  I could only see the withered old hand held
+tremblingly out for the smoking cup of tea, which the boy handed to her
+with a benignant smile, and I could hear the soft voice say--"Thank you,
+Robin--dear boy--so like!"
+
+"I tell you what it is, granny," returned Slidder, with a frown, "I'll
+give you up an' 'and you over to the p'leece if you go on comparin' me
+to other people in that way.--Now, then, 'ave some muffins.  They're all
+'ot and soaked in butter, old Gummy, just the wery thing for your teeth.
+Fire away, now!  Wot's the use o' me an' Dr McTougall fetchin' you
+nice things if you won't eat 'em?"
+
+"But I _will_ eat 'em, Robin, thankfully."
+
+"That ain't the way, old 'ooman," returned the boy, helping himself
+largely to the viands which he so freely dispensed; "it's not
+thankfully, but heartily, you ought to eat 'em."
+
+"Both, Robin, both."
+
+"Not at all, granny.  We asked a blessin' fust, now, didn't we?  Vell,
+then, wot we've to do next is to go in and win heartily.  Arter that
+it's time enough to be thankful."
+
+"What a boy it is!" responded Mrs Willis.
+
+I saw the withered old hand disappear with a muffin in it in the
+direction of the old mouth, and at this point I entered.
+
+"The wery man I wanted to see," exclaimed Slidder, jumping up with what
+I thought unusual animation, even for him.
+
+"Come along, doctor, just in time for grub.  Mrs W hain't eat up all
+the muffins yet.  Fresh cup an' saucer; clean plate; ditto knife; no
+need for a fork; now then, sit down."
+
+Accepting this hearty invitation, I was soon busy with a muffin, while
+Mrs Willis gave a slow, elaborate, and graphic account of the sayings
+and doings of Master Slidder, which account, I need hardly say, was much
+in his favour, and I am bound to add that he listened to it with pleased
+solemnity.
+
+"Now then, old flatterer, w'en you've quite done, p'raps you'll tell the
+doctor that I wants a veek's leave of absence, an' then, p'raps you'll
+listen to what him an' me's got to say on that p'int.  Just keep a
+stuffin' of yourself with muffins, an' don't speak."
+
+The old lady nodded pleasantly, and began to eat with apparently renewed
+appetite, while I turned in some surprise.
+
+"A week's leave of absence?" said I.
+
+"Just so--a veek's leave of absence--furlow if you prefers to call it
+so.  The truth is, I wants a 'oliday wery bad.  Granny says so, an' I
+thinks she's right.  D'you think my constitootion's made o' brass, or
+cast-iron, or bell-metal, that I should be able to york on an' on for
+ever, black, black, blackin' boots an' shoes, without a 'oliday?  W'y,
+lawyers, merchants, bankers--even doctors--needs a 'oliday now an' then;
+'ow much more shoeblacks!"
+
+"Well," said I, with a laugh, "there is no reason why shoeblacks should
+not require and desire a holiday as much as other people, only it's
+unusual--because they cannot afford it, I suppose."
+
+"Ah! `that's just w'ere the shoe pinches'--as a old gen'leman shouted to
+me t'other day, with a whack of his umbreller, w'en I scrubbed 'is corns
+too hard.  `Right you are, old stumps,' says I, `but you'll have to pay
+tuppence farden hextra for that there whack, or be took up for assault
+an' battery.'  D'you know that gen'leman larfed, he did, like a 'iaena,
+an' paid the tuppence down like a man.  I let 'im off the farden in
+consideration that he 'adn't got one, an' I had no change.--Vell, to
+return to the p'int--vich was wot the old toper remarked to his wife
+every night--I've bin savin' up of late."
+
+"Saving up, have you?"
+
+"Yes, them penny banks 'as done it.  W'y, it ain't a wirtue to be savin'
+now-a-days, or good, or that sort o' thing.  What between city
+missionaries, an' Sunday-schools, an' penny banks, an cheap wittles, and
+grannies like this here old sneezer, it's hardly possible for a young
+feller to go wrong, even if he was to try.  Yes, I've bin an' saved
+enough to give me a veek's 'oliday, so I'm goin' to 'ave my 'oliday in
+the north.  My 'ealth requires it."
+
+Saying this, young Slidder began to eat another muffin with a degree of
+zest that seemed to give the lie direct to his assertion, so that I
+could not refrain from observing that he did not seem to be particularly
+ill.
+
+"Ain't I though?" he remarked, elongating his round rosy face as much as
+possible.  "That's 'cause you judge too much by appearances.  It ain't
+my body that's wrong--it's my spirit.  That's wot's the matter with
+_me_.  If you only saw the inside o' my mind you'd be astonished."
+
+"I thoroughly believe you," said I, laughing.  "And do you really advise
+him to go, granny?"
+
+"Yes, my dear, I do," replied Mrs Willis, in her sweet, though feeble
+tones.  "You've no idea how he's been slaving and working about me.  I
+have strongly advised him to go, and, you know, good Mrs Jones will
+take his place.  She's as kind to me as a daughter."
+
+The mention of the word _daughter_ set the poor creature meditating on
+her great loss.  She sighed deeply, and turned her poor old eyes on me
+with a yearning, inquiring look.  I was accustomed to the look by this
+time, and having no good news to give her, had latterly got into a way
+of taking no notice of it.  That night, however, my heart felt so sore
+for her that I could not refrain from speaking.
+
+"Ah! dear granny," said I, laying my hand gently on her wrist, "would
+that I had any news to give you, but I have none--at least not at
+present.  But you must not despair.  I have failed up to this time, it
+is true, although my inquiries have been frequent, and carefully
+conducted; but you know, such a search takes a long time, and--and
+London is a large place."
+
+The unfinished muffin dropped from the old woman's hand, and she turned
+with a deep sigh to the window, where the blank prospect was a not inapt
+reflection of her own blank despair.
+
+"Never more!" she said, "never more!"
+
+"Hope thou in God, for thou shalt yet praise Him, who is the health of
+thy countenance, and thy God," was all that I could say in reply.  Then
+I turned to the boy, who sat with his eyes cast down as if in deep
+thought, and engaged him in conversation on other subjects, by way of
+diverting the old woman's mind from the painful theme.
+
+When I rose to go, Slidder said he would call Mrs Jones to mount guard,
+and give me a convoy home.
+
+No sooner were we in the street than he seized my hand, and, in a voice
+of unusual earnestness, said--
+
+"I've got on 'er tracks!"
+
+"Whose tracks?  What do you mean?"
+
+"On Edie's, to be sure--Edie Willis."
+
+Talking eagerly and fast, as we walked along, little Slidder told me how
+he had first been put on the scent by his old friend and fellow-waif,
+the Slogger.  That juvenile burglar, chancing to meet with Slidder,
+entertained him with a relation of some of his adventures.  Among
+others, he mentioned having, many months before, been out one afternoon
+with a certain Mr Brassey, rambling about the streets with an eye to
+any chance business that might turn up, when they observed a young and
+very pretty girl looking in at various shop windows.  She was obviously
+a lady, but her dress showed that she was very poor.  Her manner and
+colour seemed to imply that she was fresh from the country.  The two
+thieves at once resolved to fleece her.  Brassey advised the Slogger "to
+come the soft dodge over her," and entice her, if possible, into a
+neighbouring court.  The Slogger, agreeing, immediately ran and placed
+himself on a doorstep which the girl was about to pass.  Then he covered
+his face with his hands, and began to groan dismally, while Mr Brassey,
+with native politeness, retired from the scene.  The girl, having an
+unsuspicious nature, and a tender heart, believed the tale of woe which
+the boy unfolded, and went with him to see "his poor mother," who had
+just fallen down in a fit, and was dying at that moment for want of
+physic and some one to attend to her.  She suggested, indeed, that the
+Slogger should run to the nearest chemist, but the Slogger said it would
+be of no use, and might be too late.  Would she just run round an' see
+her?  The girl acted on the spur of the moment.  In her exuberant
+sympathy she hurried down an alley, round a corner, under an archway,
+and walked straight into the lion's den!
+
+There Mr Brassey, the lion, promptly introduced himself, and requested
+the loan of her purse and watch!  The poor girl at once understood her
+position, and turned to fly, but a powerful hand on her arm prevented
+her.  Then she tried to shriek, but a powerful hand on her mouth
+prevented that also.  Then she fainted.  Not wishing to be found in an
+awkward position, Mr Brassey and the Slogger searched her pockets
+hastily, and, finding nothing therein, retired precipitately from the
+scene, taking her little dog with them.  As they did so the young girl
+recovered, sprang wildly up, and rushing back through the court and
+alley, dashed into the main thoroughfare.  The two thieves saw her
+attempt to cross, saw a cab-horse knock her down, saw a crowd rush to
+the spot and then saw no more, owing to pressing engagements requiring
+their immediate presence elsewhere.
+
+"There--that's wot the Slogger told me," said little Slidder, with
+flushed cheeks and excited looks, "an' I made him give me an exact
+description o' the gal, which was a facsimilar o' the pictur' painted o'
+Miss Edie Willis by her own grandmother--as like as two black cats."
+
+"This is interesting, _very_ interesting, my boy," said I, stopping and
+looking at the pavement; "but I fear that it leaves us no clew with
+which to prosecute the search."
+
+"Of course it don't," rejoined Robin, with one of his knowing looks;
+"but do you think I'd go an aggrawate myself about the thing if I 'adn't
+more to say than that?"
+
+"Well, what more have you to say?"
+
+"Just this, that ever since my talk wi' the Slogger I've bin making wery
+partikler inquiries at all the chemists and hospitals round about where
+he said the accident happened, an' I've diskivered one hospital where I
+'appens to know the porter, an' I got him to inwestigate, an' he found
+there was a case of a young gal run over on the wery day this happened.
+She got feverish, he says, an' didn't know what she was sayin' for
+months, an' nobody come to inquire arter her, an when she began to git
+well she sent to Vitechapel to inquire for 'er grandmother, but 'er
+grandmother was gone, nobody knowed where.  Then the young gal got wuss,
+then she got better, and then she left, sayin' she'd go back to 'er old
+'ome in York, for she was sure the old lady must have returned there.
+So _that's_ the reason w'y I'm goin' to recruit my 'ealth in the north,
+d'ye see?  But before I go wouldn't it be better that you should make
+some inwestigations at the hospital?"
+
+I heartily agreed to this, and went without delay to the hospital,
+where, however, no new light was thrown on the subject.  On the
+contrary, I found, what Slidder had neglected to ascertain, that the
+name of the girl in question was _not_ Edie Willis, but Eva Bright, a
+circumstance which troubled me much, and inclined me to believe that we
+had got on a false scent; but when I reflected on the other
+circumstances of the case I still felt hopeful.  The day of Edie's
+disappearance tallied exactly with the date of the robbing of the girl
+by Brassey and the Slogger.  Her personal appearance, too, as described
+by the Slogger, corresponded exactly with the description given of her
+granddaughter by Mrs Willis; and, above all, the sending of a messenger
+from the hospital by the girl to inquire for her "grandmother, Mrs
+Willis," were proofs too strong to be set aside by the mystery of the
+name.
+
+In these circumstances I also resolved to take a holiday, and join Robin
+Slidder in his trip to York.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TEN.
+
+A DISAPPOINTMENT, AN ACCIDENT, AND A PERPLEXING RETURN.
+
+But the trip to York produced no fruit!  Some of the tradespeople did,
+indeed, remember old Mrs Willis and her granddaughter, but had neither
+seen nor heard of them since they left.  They knew very little about
+them personally, and nothing whatever of their previous history, as they
+had stayed only a short time in the town, and had been remarkably shy
+and uncommunicative--the result, it was thought, of their having "come
+down" in life.
+
+Much disappointed, Slidder and I returned to London.
+
+"It is fortunate that we did not tell granny the object of our trip, so
+that she will be spared the disappointment that we have met with," said
+I, as the train neared the metropolis.
+
+My companion made no reply; he had evidently taken the matter much to
+heart.
+
+We were passing rapidly through the gradually thickening groups of
+streets and houses which besprinkle the circumference of the great city,
+and sat gazing contemplatively on back yards, chimney cans, unfinished
+suburban residences, pieces of waste ground, back windows, internal
+domestic arrangements, etcetera, as they flew past in rapid succession.
+
+"Robin," said I, breaking silence again, and using the name which had by
+that time grown familiar, "have you made up your mind yet about taking
+service with Dr McTougall?  Now that we have got Mrs Jones engaged and
+paid to look after granny, she will be able to get on pretty well
+without you, and you shall have time to run over and see her
+frequently."
+
+"H'm!  I don't quite see my way," returned the boy, with a solemn look.
+"You see, sir, if it was a page-in-buttons I was to be, to attend on
+_my_ young lady the guv'ness, I might take it into consideration; but to
+go into buttons an' blue merely to open a door an' do the purlite to
+wisitors, an' mix up things with bad smells by way of a change--why,
+d'ee see, the prospec' ain't temptin'.  Besides, I hate blue.  The
+buttons is all well enough, but blue reminds me so of the bobbies that I
+don't think I could surwive it long--indeed I don't!"
+
+"Robin," said I reproachfully, "I'm grieved at your indifference to
+friendship."
+
+"'Ow so, sir?"
+
+"Have you not mentioned merely your objections and the disadvantages,
+without once weighing against them the advantages?"
+
+"Vich is--?"
+
+"Which are," said I, "being under the same roof with _me_ and with
+Punch, to say nothing of your young lady!"
+
+"Ah, to be sure!  Vell, but I did think of all that, only, don't you
+see, I'll come to be under the same roof with you all in course o' time
+w'en you've got spliced an' set up for--"
+
+"Slidder," said I sternly, and losing patience under the boy's
+presumption, "you must never again dare to speak of such a thing.  You
+know very well that it is quite out of the question, and--and--you'll
+get into a careless way of referring to such a possibility among
+servants or--"
+
+"No; honour bright!" exclaimed Slidder, with, for the first time, a
+somewhat abashed look in his face; "I wouldn't for the wealth of the
+Injies say a word to nobody wotsomever.  It's only atween ourselves that
+I wentur's to--"
+
+"Well, well; enough," said I; "don't in future venture to do it even
+between ourselves, if you care to retain my friendship.  Now.  Robin," I
+added, as the train slowed, "of course you'll not let a hint of our
+reason for going north pass your lips to poor granny or any one; and
+give her the old message, that I'll be along to see her soon."
+
+It was pleasant to return to such a hearty reception as I met with from
+the doctor's family.  Although my absence had been but for a few days,
+the children came crowding and clinging round me, declaring that it
+seemed like weeks since I left them.  The doctor himself was, as usual,
+exuberant, and his wife extremely kind.  Miss Blythe, I found, had not
+yet returned, and was not expected for some time.
+
+But the reception accorded me by the doctor and his family was as
+nothing to the wild welcome lavished upon me by Dumps.  That loving
+creature came more nearly to the bursting-point than I had ever seen him
+before.  His spirit was obviously much too large for his body.  He was
+romping with the McTougall baby when I entered.  The instant he heard my
+voice in the hall he uttered a squeal--almost a yell--of delight, and
+came down the two flights of stairs in a wriggling heap, his legs taking
+comparatively little part in the movement.  His paws, when first applied
+to the wax-cloth of the nursery floor, slipped as if on ice, without
+communicating motion.  On the stairs, his ears, tail, head, hair, heart,
+and tongue conspired to convulse him.  Only when he had fairly reached
+me did the hind-legs do their duty, as he bounced and wriggled high into
+air.  Powers of description are futile; vision alone is of any avail in
+such a case.  Are dogs mortal?  Is such overflowing wealth of affection
+extinguished at death?  Pshaw! thought I, the man who thinks so shows
+that he is utterly void of the merest rudiments of common sense!
+
+I did not mention the object of my visit to York to the doctor or his
+wife.  Indeed, that natural shyness and reticence which I have found it
+impossible to shake off--except when writing to you, good reader--would
+in any case have prevented my communicating much of my private affairs
+to them, but particularly in a case like this, which seemed to be
+assuming the aspect of a wildly romantic hunt after a lost young girl,
+more like the plot of a sensational novel than an occurrence in
+every-day life.
+
+It may be remarked here that the doctor had indeed understood from Mrs
+Willis that she had somehow lost a granddaughter; but being rather fussy
+in his desires and efforts to comfort people in distress, he had failed
+to rouse the sympathy which would have drawn out details from the old
+woman.  I therefore merely gave him to understand that the business
+which had called me to the north of England had been unsuccessful, and
+then changed the subject.
+
+Meanwhile Dumps returned to the nursery to resume the game of romps
+which I had interrupted.
+
+After a general "scrimmage," in which the five chips of the elder
+McTougall had joined, without regard to any concerted plan, Dolly
+suddenly shouted "'Top!"
+
+"What are we to stop for?" demanded Harry, whose powers of
+self-restraint were not strong.
+
+"Want a 'est!" said Dolly, sitting down on a stool with a resolute
+plump.
+
+"Rest quick, then, and let's go on again," said Harry, throwing himself
+into a small chair, while Job and Jenny sprawled on an ottoman in the
+window.
+
+Seeing that her troops appeared to be exhausted, and that a period of
+repose had set in, the tall nurse thought this a fitting opportunity to
+retire for a short recreative talk with the servants in the kitchen.
+
+"Now be good, child'n," she said, in passing out, "and don't 'urt poor
+little Dumps."
+
+"Oh no," chorused the five, while, with faces of intense and real
+solemnity, they assured nurse that they would not hurt Dumps for the
+world.
+
+"We'll be _so_ dood!" remarked Dolly, as the door closed--and she really
+meant it.
+
+"What'll we do to him now?" asked Harry, whose patience was exhausted.
+
+"Tut off him's head," cried Dolly, clapping her fat little hands.
+
+"No, burn him for a witch," said Jenny.
+
+"Oh no! ve'll skeese him flat till he's bu'sted," suggested Job.
+
+But Jenny thought that would be too cruel, and Harry said it would be
+too tame.
+
+It must not be supposed that these and several other appalling tortures
+were meant to be really attempted.  As Job afterwards said, it was only
+play.
+
+"Oh!  I'll tell you what we'll do," said Jack, who was considerably in
+advance of the others in regard to education, "we'll turn him into Joan
+of Arc."
+
+"What's Joan of Arc?" asked Job.
+
+"It isn't a what--it's a who," cried Jack, laughing.
+
+"Is it like Noah's Ark?" inquired Dolly.
+
+"No, no; it's a lady who lived in France, an' thought she was sent to
+deliver her country from--from--I don't know all what, an' put on men's
+clo'es an' armour, an' went out to battle, an' was burnt."
+
+"Bu'nt!" shouted Dolly, with sparkling eyes; "oh, what fun!--We're goin'
+to bu'n you, Pompey."  They called him by Lilly Blythe's name.
+
+Dumps, who sat in a confused heap in a corner, panting, seemed
+regardless of the fate that awaited him.
+
+"But where shall we find armour?" said Harry.
+
+"_I_ know," exclaimed Job, going to the fireplace, and seizing the lid
+of a saucepan which stood on the hearth near enough to the tall fender
+to be within reach, "here's somethin'."
+
+"Capital--a breastplate!  Just the thing!" cried Jack, seizing it, and
+whistling to Dumps.
+
+"And here's a first-rate helmet," said Harry, producing a toy drum with
+the heads out.
+
+The strong contrast between my doggie's conditions of grigginess and
+humiliation has already been referred to.  Aware that something unusual
+was pending, he crawled towards Jack with every hair trailing in lowly
+submission.  Poor Joan of Arc might have had a happier fate if she had
+been influenced by a similar spirit!
+
+"Now, sir, stand up on your hind-legs."
+
+The already well-trained and obedient creature obeyed.
+
+"There," he said, tying the lid to his hairy bosom; "and there," he
+continued, thrusting the drum on his meek head, which it fitted exactly;
+"now, Madame Joan, come away--the fagots are ready."
+
+With Harry's aid, and to the ineffable joy of Jenny, Job, and Dolly, the
+little dog was carefully bound to the leg of a small table, and bits of
+broken toys--of which there were heaps--were piled round it for fagots.
+
+"Don't be c'uel," said Dolly tenderly.
+
+"Oh no, we won't be cruel," said Jack, who was really anxious to
+accomplish the whole execution without giving pain to the victim.  The
+better to arrange some of the fastenings he clambered on the table.
+Dolly, always anxious to observe what was being done, attempted to do
+the same.  Jenny, trying to prevent her, pulled at her skirts, and among
+them they pulled the table over on themselves.  It fell with a dire
+crash.
+
+Of course there were cries and shouts from the children, but these were
+overtopped and quickly silenced by the hideous yellings of Dumps.  Full
+many a time had the poor dog given yelp and yell in that nursery when
+accidentally hurt, and as often had it wagged its forgiving tail and
+licked the patting hands of sympathy; but now the yells were loud and
+continuous, the patting hands were snapped at, and Dumps refused to be
+comforted.  His piercing cries reached my study.  I sprang up-stairs and
+dashed into the nursery, where the eccentric five were standing in a
+group, with looks of self-condemning horror in their ten round eyes, and
+almost equally expressive round mouths.
+
+The reason was soon discovered--poor Dumps had got a hind-leg broken!
+
+Having ascertained the fact, alleviated the pain as well as I could, and
+bandaged the limb, I laid my doggie tenderly in the toy bed belonging to
+Jenny's largest doll, which was quickly and heartily given up for the
+occasion, the dispossessed doll being callously laid on a shelf in the
+meantime.
+
+It was really quite interesting to observe the effect of this accident
+on the tender-hearted five.  They wept over Dumps most genuine tears.
+They begged his pardon--implored his forgiveness--in the most earnest
+tones and touching terms.  They took turn about in watching by his
+sick-bed.  They held lint and lotion with superhuman solemnity while I
+dressed his wounded limb, and they fed him with the most tender
+solicitude.  In short, they came out quite in a new and sympathetic
+light, and soon began to play at sick-nursing with each other.  This
+involved a good deal of pretended sickness, and for a long time after
+that it was no uncommon thing for visitors to the nursery to find three
+of the five down with measles, whooping-cough, or fever, while the
+fourth acted doctor, and the fifth nurse.
+
+The event however, gave them a lesson in gentleness to dumb animals
+which they never afterwards forgot, and which some of my boy readers
+would do well to remember.  With a laudable effort to improve the
+occasion, Mrs McTougall carefully printed in huge letters, and
+elaborately illuminated the sentence, "Be kind to Doggie," and hung it
+up in the nursery.  Thereupon cardboard, pencils, paints, and scissors
+were in immediate demand, and soon after there appeared on the walls in
+hideously bad but highly ornamental letters, the words "Be kind to
+Cattie."  This was followed by "Be kind to Polly," which instantly
+suggested "Be kind to Dolly."  And so, by one means or another, the
+lesson of kindness was driven home.
+
+Soon after this event Dr McTougall moved into a new house in the same
+street; I became regularly established as his partner, and Robin Slidder
+entered on his duties as page in buttons.  It is right to observe here
+that, in deference to his prejudices, the material of his garments was
+not blue, but dark grey.
+
+It was distinctly arranged, however, that Robin was to go home, as he
+called it, to be with Mrs Willis at nights.  On no other condition
+would he agree to enter the doctor's service; and I found, on talking
+over the subject with Mrs Willis herself, that she had become so fond
+of the boy that it would have been sheer cruelty to part them.  In
+short, it was a case of mutual love at first sight!  No two individuals
+seemed more unlikely to draw together than the meek, gentle old lady and
+the dashing, harum-scarum boy.  Yet so it was.
+
+"My dear,"--she always spoke to me now as if I had been her son--"this
+`waif,' as people would call him, has clearly been sent to me as a
+comfort in the midst of all but overwhelming sorrow; and I believe, too,
+that I have been sent to draw the dear boy to Jesus.  You should hear
+what long and pleasant talks we have about Him, and the Bible, and the
+`better land' sometimes."
+
+"Indeed!  I am glad to hear you say so, granny, and also surprised,
+because, although I believe the boy to be well disposed, I have seldom
+been able to get him to open his lips to me on religious subjects."
+
+"Ah! but he opens his dear lips to me, doctor, and reads to me many a
+long chapter out of the blessed Word!"
+
+"Reads!  Can he read?"
+
+"Ay can he!--not so badly, considering that I only began to teach him
+two or three months ago.  But he knew his letters when we began, and
+could spell out a few words.  He's very quick, you see, and a dear boy!"
+
+Soon afterwards we made this arrangement with Robin more convenient for
+all parties, by bringing Mrs Willis over to a better lodging in one of
+the small back streets not far from the doctor's new residence.
+
+I now began to devote much of my time to the study of chemistry, not
+only because it suited Dr McTougall that I should do so, but because I
+had conceived a great liking for that science, and entertained some
+thoughts of devoting myself to it almost exclusively.
+
+In the various experiments connected therewith I was most ably, and, I
+may add, delightedly, assisted by Robin Slidder.  I was also greatly
+amused by, and induced to philosophise not a little on the peculiar cast
+of the boy's mind.  The pleasure obviously afforded to him by the
+uncertainty as to results in experiments was very great.  The
+probability of a miscarriage created in him intense interest--I will not
+say hope!  The ignorance of what was coming kept him in a constant
+flutter of subdued excitement, and the astounding results (even
+sometimes to myself) of some of my combinations, kept him in a perpetual
+simmer of expectation.  But after long observation, I have come to the
+deliberate conclusion that nothing whatever gave Robin such ineffable
+joy as an explosion!  A crash, a burst, a general reduction of anything
+to instantaneous and elemental ruin, was so dear to him that I verily
+believe he would have taken his chance, and stood by, if I had proposed
+to blow the roof off Dr McTougall's mansion.  Nay, I almost think that
+if that remarkable waif had been set on a bombshell and blown to atoms,
+he would have retired from this life in a state of supreme satisfaction.
+
+While my mind was thus agreeably concentrated on the pursuit of science,
+it received a rude, but pleasing, yet particularly distracting shock, by
+the return of Lilly Blythe.  The extent to which this governess was
+worshipped by the whole household was wonderful--almost idolatrous.
+Need I say that I joined in the worship, and that Dumps and Robin
+followed suit?  I think not.  And yet--there was something strange,
+something peculiar, something unaccountable, about Miss Blythe's manner
+which I could by no means understand.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVEN.
+
+RELATES GENERALLY TO THE DOINGS AND SAYINGS OF ROBIN SLIDDER.
+
+"My dear," said Mrs McTougall one evening to the doctor, "since that
+little boy Slidder came to stay with us things have become worse and
+worse; in fact, the house is almost unbearable."
+
+"My dear," responded Dr McTougall, "you amaze me; surely the boy has
+not dared to be rude--insolent to you?"
+
+"Oh no, it's not that; but he must really be forbidden to enter the
+nursery.  Our darlings, you know, were dreadful enough before he came,
+but since then they have become absolute maniacs."
+
+"You don't mean to say that the little rascal has been teaching them bad
+words or manners, I hope?" returned the doctor, with a frown.
+
+"Dear me, no, papa; don't get angry," answered the anxious lady--"far
+from it.  On the contrary, I really believe that our darlings have
+greatly improved his language and manners by _their_ example; but
+Robin's exuberant spirits are far too much for them.  It is like putting
+fire to gunpowder, and they are _so_ fond of him.  That's the
+difficulty.  The boy does not presume, I must say that for him, and he
+is very respectful to nurse; but the children are constantly asking him
+to come and play with them, which he seems quite pleased to do, and then
+his mind is so eccentric, so inventive.  The new games he devises are
+very ingenious, but so exceedingly dangerous and destructive that it is
+absolutely necessary to check him, and I want you to do it, dear."
+
+"I must know something about the nature of the mischief before I can
+check it," said the doctor.
+
+"Oh, it's indescribable," returned the lady; "the smell that he makes in
+the nursery with his chemical experiments is awful; and then poor
+Pompey, or Dumps, or whatever they call him--for they seem very
+undecided about his name--has not the life of--I was going to say--a dog
+with them.  Only last night, when you were out, the ridiculous boy
+proposed the storming of an ogre's castle.  Nurse was down-stairs at the
+time, or it could never have happened.  Well, of course, Robin was the
+ogre, darling Dolly was a princess whom he had stolen away, Jack was a
+prince who was to deliver her, and the others were the prince's
+retainers.  A castle was built in one corner of all the tables and
+chairs in the room piled on each other, with one particular chair so
+ingeniously arranged that the pulling of it out would bring the castle
+in ruins to the ground.  The plan of attack, as far as I could make out,
+was that the prince should ring our dinner-bell at the castle gates and
+fiercely demand admittance, the demand to be followed by a burst from
+the trumpets, drums, and gongs of his soldiers.  The ogre, seated on the
+castle top with the princess, after a few preliminary yells and howls,
+was to say, in a gruff voice, that he was too much engaged just then
+with his dinner--that three roast babies were being dished.  When they
+were disposed of, the princess would be killed, and served up as a sort
+of light pudding, after which he would open the castle gate.  A horrible
+smell was to be created at this point to represent the roasting of the
+babies.  This was to be the signal for a burst of indignation from the
+prince and his troops, who were to make a furious assault on the door--
+one of our largest tea-trays--and after a little the prince was to pull
+away the particular chair, and rush back with his men to avoid the
+falling ruin, while the ogre and princess were to find shelter under the
+nursery table, and then, when the fall was over, they were to be found
+dead among the ruins.  I am not sure whether the princess was to be
+revived, or she was to have a grand funeral, but the play never got that
+length.  I was sitting here, listening to the various sounds overhead,
+wondering what they could be about, when I heard a loud ringing--that
+was the castle bell.  It was soon followed by a burst of toy trumpets
+and drums.  A most disgusting smell began to permeate the house at the
+same time, for it seems that the ogre set fire to his chemicals too
+soon.
+
+"Then I heard roaring and yelling, which really alarmed me--it was so
+gruff.  When it stopped, there was a woeful howl--that was the burst of
+indignation.  The assault came off next, and as the shouting of the
+troops was mingled with the hammering of the large tea-tray, the ringing
+of the dinner-bell, and the beating of the gong, you may fancy what the
+noise was.  In the midst of it there was a hideous crash, accompanied by
+screams of alarm that were too genuine to be mistaken.  I rushed up, and
+found the furniture lying scattered over the room, with darling Dolly in
+the midst, the others standing in solemn silence around, and Robin
+Slidder sitting on the ground ruefully rubbing his head.
+
+"The truth was that the particular chair had been pulled away before the
+proper time, and the castle had come down in ruins while the ogre and
+princess were still on the top of it.  Fortunately Robin saved Dolly, at
+the expense of his own head and shoulder, by throwing his arms round her
+and falling undermost; but it was a narrow escape, and you really must
+put a stop to such reckless ongoings."
+
+The doctor promised to do so.
+
+"I have to send Robin a message this forenoon, and will administer a
+rebuke before sending him," he said; but it was plain, from the smile on
+the doctor's face, that the rebuke would not be severe.
+
+"Robin," he said, with much solemnity, when the culprit stood before
+him, "take this bottle of medicine to Mr Williams; you know--the old
+place--and say I want to know how he is, and that I will call to-morrow
+afternoon."
+
+"Yes, sir," said the boy, taking the bottle with an unusually subdued
+air.
+
+"And Robin--stop," continued the doctor.  "I am told that the children
+were visited by an ogre last night."
+
+"Yes, sir," answered the boy, with an uncertain glance at his
+questioner's grave face.
+
+"Well, Robin, you know where that ogre lives.  Just call and tell him
+from me that if he or any of his relations ever come here again I'll
+cause them to undergo extraction of the spinal marrow, d'you
+understand?"
+
+At first little Slidder felt inclined to laugh, but the doctor's face
+was so unusually stern that he thought better of it, and went away much
+impressed.
+
+Now Robin Slidder was no loiterer on his errands, nevertheless he did
+not deem it a breach of fidelity to cast an occasional glance into a
+picture-shop window, or to pause a few seconds now and then to chaff a
+facetious cabby, or make a politely sarcastic remark to a bobby.  His
+connection with what he termed "'igh life" had softened him down
+considerably, and given a certain degree of polish to his wit, but it
+had in no degree repressed his exuberant spirits.
+
+The distance he had to go being considerable, he travelled the latter
+part of the way by omnibus.  Chancing to be in a meditative frame of
+mind that day, he climbed to the roof of the 'bus, and sat down with his
+hands thrust deep into his pockets, and his eyes deep into futurity.
+Whether he saw much there I cannot tell, but after wandering for some
+time in that unknown region, his eyes returned to surrounding things,
+and, among other objects, alighted on the 'bus conductor, whose head was
+within a few inches of his toe.  It was the head of the Slogger!
+
+That eccentric individual, having sprung up in a few months from the
+condition of a big boy to that of an exceedingly young man, had obtained
+a situation as conductor to a 'bus.  He was so busy with his fares when
+Robin mounted the 'bus that he failed to observe him until the moment
+when the latter returned from futurity.  Their eyes met simultaneously,
+and opened to such an extent that if size had counted for numbers they
+might have done for four boys.
+
+"Hallo, Buttons!" was the Slogger's exclamation.
+
+"Hallo, Slogger!" was that of Robin.
+
+"Well, now, this _is_ a pleasure! who'd a thought it?" said the
+conductor, reaching up his hand.
+
+"Is that for your fare or a shake, Slogger?" demanded Robin.
+
+"A shake, of course, old feller," replied the other, as Robin grasped
+the proffered hand;--"but I say," he added in a lower key, "there's no
+Slogger now in this 'ere world; he's dead an' buried long ago.  My name
+is Villum Bowls--no connection wotever with Slogger.  Oh no! we never
+mention 'im;--but, I say, w'en did you go into the genteel line? eh,
+Slidder?"
+
+"Robin--Robin is my name _now_, Villum Bowls.  I've changed it since we
+met last, though I hain't cut old friends like you.  Robin an' Slidder
+'ave been united, an' a pretty pair they make, don't they?"
+
+"Middlin'.  'Old on till I get that ancient stout party shoved in.
+Looks like as if he was a goin' in the opposite direction, but it don't
+matter so long as we can get 'im in.--Now, then, sir, mind the step.
+All right?  I say, Slid--Robin, I mean--"
+
+"Vell, Slog--Villum, I mean; why don't you say wot you mean, eh?"
+
+"'Ow d'you like grey tights an' buttons?" said the Slogger, with a bland
+smile.
+
+"So--so," replied Robin, with a careless air; "the grey is sober
+enough--quite suitable to my character--an' I confess I'm fond o' the
+buttons."
+
+"There's enough of 'em to form a goodish overcoat a'most," said the
+Slogger with a critical grin, "but I should 'ave thought 'em not
+sufficiently waterproof in wet weather."
+
+"Vell, they ain't much use for that, Slog--eh, Villum; but you should
+see the dazzling display they makes in sunshine.  W'y, you can see me
+half a mile off w'en I chance to be walking in Regent Street or drivin'
+in the Park.  But I value them chiefly because of the frequent and
+pleasant talks they get me with the ladies."
+
+"You don't mean for to say, Robin, that the ladies ever holds you by the
+button-'oles?"
+
+"No, I don't; but I holds _them_ wi' the buttons.  This is the way of
+it.  W'en I chance to see a wery pretty lady--not one o' your beauties,
+you know; I don't care a dump for them stuck-up creatures! but one o'
+your sweet, amiable sort, with souls above buttons, an' faces one likes
+to look at and to kiss w'en you've a right to; vell, w'en I sees one o'
+these I brushes up again' 'er, an' 'ooks on with my buttons to some of
+'er togs.
+
+"If she takes it ill, looks cross, and 'alf inclined to use strong
+language, I makes a 'umble apology, an' gets undone as fast as possible,
+but if she larfs, and says, `Stoopid boy; w'y don't you look before
+you?' or suthin o' that sort, I just 'ooks on another tag to another
+button w'en we're a fumblin' at the first one, and so goes on till we
+get to be quite sociable over it--I might almost say confidential.  Once
+or twice I've been the victim of misjudgment, and got a heavy slap on
+the face from angelic hands that ought to 'ave known better, but on the
+'ole I'm willin' to take my chance."
+
+"Not a bad notion," remarked the Slogger; "especially for a pretty
+little chap like you, Robin."
+
+"Right you are," replied the other, "but you needn't try on the dodge
+yourself, for it would never pay with a big ugly grampus like you,
+Villum."
+
+Having thus run into a pleasant little chat, the two waifs proceeded to
+compare notes, in the course of which comparison the Slogger gave an
+outline of his recent history.  He had been engaged in several
+successful burglaries, but had been caught in the act of pocket-picking,
+for which offence he had spent some weeks in prison.  While there a
+visitor had spoken to him very earnestly, and advised him to try an
+honest life, as being, to say the least of it, easier work than
+thieving.  He had made the attempt.  Through the influence of the same
+prison-visitor he had obtained a situation, from which he had been
+advanced to the responsible position which he then held.
+
+"And, d'you know, Robin," said the Slogger, "I find that honesty pays
+pretty well, and I means to stick to it."
+
+"An' I suppose," said Robin, "if it didn't pay pretty well you'd cut
+it?"
+
+"Of course I would," returned the Slogger, with a look of surprise;
+"wot's the use o' stickin' to a thing that don't pay?"
+
+"Vell, if them's your principles you ain't got much to 'old on by, my
+tulip," said Robin.
+
+"An' wot principles may _you_ 'old on by, my turnip?" asked the Slogger.
+
+"It would puzzle me, rather, to tell that," returned Robin, "'specially
+talkin' down to the level of my own toes on the top of a 'bus; but I'll
+tell you what, Villum, if you'll come to Number 6 Grovelly Street,
+Shadwell Square, just back of Hoboy Crescent, w'ere my master lives, on
+Sunday next at seven in the evenin', you'll hear an' see somethin' as'll
+open your eyes."
+
+"Ah! a meetin'-'ouse'?" said the Slogger, with a slight smile of
+contempt.
+
+"Music-'alls and publics is meetin'-'ouses, ain't they?"
+
+"Ah, but they ain't prayer-meetin' 'ouses," rejoined the Slogger.
+
+"Not so sure o' that Villum.  There's a deal o' prayer in such places
+sometimes, an' it's well for the wisitors that their prayers ain't
+always answered.  But _our_ meetin'-'ouse is for more than prayer--a
+deal more; and there's my young missus--a _real_ angel--comes in, and
+'olds forth there every Sunday evening to young fellers like you an' me.
+You just come an' judge for yourself."
+
+"No thankee," returned the Slogger.
+
+As he spoke a lady with a lap-dog made powerful demonstrations with her
+umbrella.  The 'bus stopped, and the conductor attended to his duties,
+while Robin, who really felt a strong desire to bring his old comrade
+under an influence which he knew was working a wonderful change in
+himself, sat meditating sadly on the obstinacy of human nature.
+
+"I say, Robin," said the Slogger, on resuming his perch, "d'you know
+I've found traces o' that young gal as you took such a interest in, as
+runned away from the old 'ooman, an' was robbed by Brassey an' me?"
+
+"You don't mean that!" exclaimed Robin eagerly.
+
+"Yes I do.  She's in London, I believe, but I can't exactly say where.
+I heard of her through Sal--you know Sal, who 'angs out at the vest end
+o' Potter's Lane.  I expect to see Sal in 'alf an hour, so if you're
+comin' back this way, I'll be at the Black Bull by two o'clock, and tell
+you all I can pump out of 'er."
+
+"I'll be there sharp," said Robin promptly; "an now pull up, for I must
+take to my legs here."
+
+"But I say, Robin, if we do find that gal, you won't split on me, eh?
+You won't tell 'er who I am or where I is?  You won't wictimise your old
+friend?"
+
+"D'you take me for a informer?" demanded Robin, with an offended look.
+
+"Hall right," cried the Slogger, giving the signal to drive on.
+
+Robin sped quickly away, executed his mission, and returned to the Black
+Bull in a state of considerable excitement and strong hope.
+
+Slidder was doomed to disappointment.  He reached the Black Bull at two
+o'clock precisely.
+
+"Vell, my fair one," he said, addressing a waiting-maid who met him in
+the passage, "it's good for sore eyes to see the likes o' you in cloudy
+weather.  D'you 'appen to know a young man of the name of Sl--I mean
+Villum Bowls?"
+
+"Yes I do, Mr Imp'rence," answered the girl.
+
+"You couldn't introdooce me to him, could you, Miss Sunshine?"
+
+"No, I couldn't, because he isn't here, and won't likely be back for two
+hours."
+
+This reply took all the humour out of Robin's tone and manner.  He
+resolved, however, to wait for half an hour, and went out to saunter in
+front of the hotel.
+
+Half an hour passed, then another, then another, and the boy was fain to
+leave the spot in despair.
+
+Poor Slidder's temperament was sanguine.  Slight encouragement raised
+his hopes very high.  Failure depressed him proportionally and woefully
+low, but, to do him justice, he never sorrowed long.  In the present
+instance, he left the Black Bull grinding his teeth.  Then he took to
+clanking his heels as he walked along in a way that drew forth the
+comments of several street-boys, to whom, in a spirit of liberality, he
+returned considerably more than he received.  Then he began to mutter
+between his teeth his private opinion as to faithless persons in
+general, and faithless Villum, _alias_ the Slogger, in particular, whose
+character he painted to himself in extremely sombre colours.  After
+that, a heavy thunder-shower having fallen and drenched him, he walked
+recklessly and violently through every puddle in his path.  This seemed
+to relieve his spirit, for when he reached Hoboy Crescent he had
+recovered much of his wonted equanimity.
+
+The Slogger was not however, so faithless as his old friend imagined.
+He had been at the Black Bull before two o'clock, but had been sent off
+by his employer with a note to a house at a considerable distance in
+such urgent haste that he had not time even to think of leaving a
+message for his friend.
+
+In these circumstances, he resolved to clear his character by paying a
+visit on the following Sunday to Number 6 Grovelly Street, Shadwell
+Square.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELVE.
+
+BEGINS WITH LOVE, HOPE, AND JOY, AND ENDS PECULIARLY.
+
+It may not perhaps surprise the reader to learn that after Lilly
+Blythe's return to town, I did not prosecute my studies with as much
+enthusiasm as before.  In fact I divided my attentions pretty equally
+between Lilly and chemistry.
+
+Now, I am not prone to become sentimentally talkative about my own
+affairs, but as courtship, and love, and that sort of thing are
+undoubted and important elements in the chemistry of human affairs, and
+as they influenced me and those around me to some extent, I cannot avoid
+making reference to them, but I promise the reader to do so only as far
+as appears necessary for the elucidation of my story.
+
+First, then, although I knew that my prospects of success as a partner
+of Dr McTougall were most encouraging, I felt that it would be foolish
+to think of marriage until my position was well established and my
+income adequate.  I therefore strove with all my might to check the flow
+of my thoughts towards Miss Blythe.  As well might I have striven to
+restrain the flow of Niagara.  True love cannot be stemmed!  In my case,
+however, the proverb was utterly falsified, for my true love _did_ "run
+smooth."  More than that, it ran fast--very fast indeed, so much so that
+I was carried, as it were, on the summit of a rushing flood-tide into
+the placid harbour of Engagement.  The anchorage in that harbour is with
+many people uncertain.  With Lilly and me it was not so.  The
+ground-tackle was good; it had caught hold of a rock and held on.
+
+It happened thus.  After many weeks of struggling on my part to keep out
+of Miss Blythe's way, and to prevent the state of my feelings from being
+observed by her--struggles which I afterwards found to my confusion had
+been quite obvious to her--I found myself standing alone, one Sunday
+afternoon, in the doctor's drawing-room, meditating on the joys of
+childhood, as exemplified by thunderous blows on the floor above and
+piercing shouts of laughter.  The children had been to church and were
+working off the steam accumulated there.  Suddenly there was a dead
+silence, which I knew to be the result of a meal.  The meal was, I may
+add, the union of a late dinner with an early tea.  It was
+characteristic of Sundays in the McTougall nursery.
+
+The thought of this union turned my mind into another channel.  Just
+then Miss Blythe entered.  She looked so radiant that I forgot myself,
+forgot my former struggles, my good resolutions--everything except
+herself--and proposed on the spot!
+
+I was rejected--of course!  More than that, I was stunned!  Hope had
+told me many flattering tales.  Indeed, I had felt so sure, from many
+little symptoms, that Lilly had a strong regard for me--to say the
+least--that I was overwhelmed, not only by my rejection, but by the
+thought of my foolish self-assurance.
+
+"I don't wonder that you look upon me as a presumptuous, vain,
+contemptible fellow," said I, in the bitterness of my soul.
+
+"But I do not regard you in that light," said Lilly, with a faint smile,
+and then, hesitatingly, she looked down at the carpet.
+
+"In what light do you regard me, Miss Blythe?" said I, recovering a
+little hope, and speaking vehemently.
+
+"Really, Dr Mellon, you take me by surprise; your manner--so abrupt--
+so--"
+
+"Oh! never mind manner, dear Miss Blythe," said I, seizing her hand, and
+forcibly detaining it.  "You are the soul of truth; tell me, is there
+any hope for me?--_can_ you care for me?"
+
+"Dr Mellon," she said, drawing her hand firmly away, "I cannot, should
+not reply.  You do not know all the--the circumstances of my life--my
+poverty, my solitary condition in the world--my--my--"
+
+"Miss Blythe," I exclaimed, in desperation, "if you were as poor as a--
+a--church rat, as solitary as--as--Adam before the advent of Eve, I
+would count it my chief joy, and--"
+
+"Hallo!  Mellon, hi!  I say! where are you?" shouted the voice of the
+doctor at that moment from below stairs.  "Here's Dumps been in the
+laboratory, and capsized some of the chemicals!"
+
+"Coming, sir!"  I shouted; then tenderly, though hurriedly, to Miss
+Blythe, "You will let me resume this subject at--"
+
+"Hallo! look sharp!" from below.
+
+"Yes, yes, I'll be down directly!--Dear Miss Blythe, if you only knew--"
+
+"Why, the dog's burning all over--help me!" roared the doctor.
+
+Miss Blythe blushed and laughed.  How could she help it?  I hastily
+kissed her hand, and fled from the room.
+
+That was the whole affair.  There was not enough, strictly speaking, to
+form a ground of hope; but somehow I knew that it was all right.  In the
+laboratory I found Dumps smoking, and the doctor pouring water from the
+tap on his dishevelled body.  He was not hurt, and little damage was
+done; but as I sat in my room talking to him that evening, I could not
+help reproaching him with having been the means of breaking off one of
+the most important interviews of my life.
+
+"However, Dumps," I continued, "your good services far outweigh your
+wicked deeds, and whatever you may do in the future, I will never forget
+that you were the means of introducing me to that angel, Lilly Blythe."
+
+The angel in question went that Sunday evening at seven o'clock, as was
+her wont, to a Bible class which she had started for the instruction of
+some of the poor neglected boys and lads who idled about in the dreary
+back streets of our aristocratic neighbourhood.  The boys had become so
+fond of her that they were eager to attend, and usually assembled round
+the door of the class-room before the hour.
+
+My _protege_, Robin Slidder, was of course one of her warmest adherents.
+He was standing that night apart from the other boys, contemplating the
+proceedings of two combative sparrows which quarrelled over a crumb of
+bread on the pavement, and had just come to the conclusion that men and
+sparrows had some qualities in common, when he was attracted by a low
+whistle, and, looking up, beheld the Slogger peeping round a
+neighbouring corner.
+
+"Hallo!  Slog--Villum I mean; how are you?  Come along.  Vell, I _am_
+glad to see you, for, d'you know, arter you failed me that day at the
+Black Bull, I have bin givin' you a pretty bad character, an' callin'
+you no end o' bad names."
+
+"Is that what your `angel' teaches you, Robin?"
+
+"Vell, not exactly, but you'll hear wot she teaches for yourself
+to-night, I 'ope.  Come, I'm right glad to see you, Villum.  What was it
+that prevented you that day, eh?"
+
+When the Slogger had explained and cleared his character, Robin asked
+him eagerly if he had ascertained anything further about the girl whom
+he and Brassey had robbed.
+
+"Of course I have," said the Slogger, "and it's a curious suckumstance
+that 'er place of abode--so Sally says--is in the Vest End, not wery far
+from here.  She gave me the street and the name, but wasn't quite sure
+of the number."
+
+"Vell, come along, let's hear all about it," said Robin impatiently.
+
+"Wy, wot's all your 'urry?" returned the Slogger slowly; "I ain't goin'
+away till I've heerd wot your angel's got to say, you know.  Besides, I
+must go arter your meeting's over an watch the 'ouse till I see the gal
+an' make sure that it's her, for Sally may have bin mistook, you know."
+
+"You don't know her name, do you?" asked Robin; "it wasn't Edie Willis,
+now, was it?"
+
+"'Ow should _I_ know 'er name?" answered the Slogger.  "D'you think I
+stopped to inquire w'en I 'elped to relieve 'er of 'er propity?"
+
+"Ah, I suppose not.  Vell, I suppose you've no objection to my goin' to
+watch along wi' you."
+
+"None wotsomever; on'y remember, if it do turn out to be 'er, you won't
+betray me.  Honour bright!  She may be revengeful, you know, an' might
+'ave me took up if she got 'old of me."
+
+Robin Slidder faithfully and earnestly pledged himself.  While he was
+speaking there was a general movement among the lads and boys towards
+the class-room, for Miss Blythe was seen coming towards them.  The two
+friends moved with the rest.  Just as he was about to enter the door,
+Robin missed his companion, and, looking back, saw him bending down, and
+holding his sides as if in pain.
+
+"Wot's wrong now?" he inquired, returning to him.
+
+"Oh!  I'm took so bad," said the Slogger, looking very red, and rubbing
+himself; "a old complaint as I thought I was cured of.  Oh, dear! you'll
+'ave to excuge me, Robin.  I'll go an' take a turn, an' come in if I
+gits better.  If not, I'll meet you round the corner arter it's over."
+
+So saying, the Slogger, turning round, walked quickly away, and his
+little friend entered the class-room in a state of mind pendulating
+between disgust and despair, for he had no expectation of seeing the
+slippery Slogger again that night.
+
+When the meeting was over, Miss Blythe returned home.  I saw her enter
+the library.  No one else was there, I knew.  The gas had not yet been
+lighted, and only a faint flicker from the fire illumined the room.
+Unable to bear the state of uncertainty under which my mind still
+laboured, I resolved to make assurance doubly sure, or quit the house--
+and England--for ever!
+
+I spare the reader the details.  Suffice it to say that after much
+entreaty, I got her to admit that she loved me, but she refused to
+accept me until she had told me her whole history.
+
+"Then I'm sure of you now," said I, in triumph; "for, be your history
+what it may, I'll never give you up, dearest Lilly--"
+
+"Don't call me Lilly," she said in a low, quiet tone; "it is only a pet
+name which the little ones here gave me on my first coming to them.
+Call me Edith."
+
+"I will," said I, with enthusiasm, "a far more beautiful name.  I'll--"
+
+"Hallo! hi!  Mellon, are you there?"
+
+For the second time that day Dr McTougall interrupted me, but I was
+proof against annoyance now.
+
+"Yes, I am here," I shouted, running downstairs.  "Surely Dumps is not
+burning himself again--eh?"
+
+"Oh no," returned my friend, with a laugh--"only a telegram.  However,
+it's important enough to require prompt attention.  The Gordons in
+Bingley Manor--you know them--telegraph me to run down immediately; old
+lady ill.  Now, it unfortunately happens that I have an engagement this
+evening which positively cannot be put off, so I must send you.
+Besides, I know well enough what it is.  They're easily alarmed, and I'm
+convinced it is just the old story.  However, the summons must be
+obeyed.  You will go for me.  The train starts in half an hour.  You
+will have plenty of time to catch it, if you make haste.  You'll have to
+stay all night.  No return train till to-morrow, being an out-of-the-way
+place.  There, off with you.  Put the telegram in your pocket for the
+address."
+
+So saying, the doctor put on his hat and left the house.
+
+Summoning Robin Slidder, I bade him pack a few things into my
+travelling-bag while I wrote a note.  When he had finished he told me of
+his interview with the Slogger.  I was greatly interested, and asked if
+he had gone to see his friend after the meeting.
+
+"No, sir, I didn't.  I meant to, but Miss Blythe wanted me to walk 'ome
+with 'er, it was so dark, an' w'en I went back he had gone."
+
+"Pity, Robin--a great pity," said I, hastily strapping up my bag, "but
+no doubt he'll come here again to see you.--Now, don't forget to take
+over that parcel of tea and sugar, etcetera, to Mrs Willis.  Go as soon
+as you can."  Saying this, I left the house.
+
+The new residence of the old woman being now so near to Hoboy Crescent
+the parcel was soon delivered, and Robin officiated at the opening of
+it, also at the preparing and consuming of some of its contents.  Of
+course he chatted vigorously, as was his wont, but was particularly
+careful to make not the most distant allusion to the Slogger or his
+reports, being anxious not to arouse her hopes until he should have some
+evidence that they were on a true scent.  Indeed, he was so fearful of
+letting slip some word or remark on the subject and thereby awakening
+suspicion and giving needless pain, that he abstained from all reference
+to the meeting of that evening, and launched out instead into wonderful
+and puzzling theological speculations, of which he was very fond.
+
+Meanwhile I was carried swiftly into the country.  The lamp in my
+carriage was too dim to permit of reading; I therefore wrapped myself in
+my rug and indulged in pleasant meditations.
+
+It was past midnight when I arrived at the station for Bingley Manor,
+where I found a gig awaiting me.  A sharp drive of half an hour and I
+was at the mansion door.
+
+Dr McTougall was right.  There was little the matter with old Mrs
+Gordon, but the family were nervous, and rich--hence my visit.  I did
+what was necessary for the patient, comforted the rest by my presence,
+had a sound night's rest, an early breakfast, a pleasant drive in the
+fresh frosty air, and a brief wait of five minutes, when the punctual
+train came up.
+
+There is something inexpressibly delightful in a ride, on a sharp frosty
+morning, in an express train.  I have always felt a wild bounding
+sensation of joy in rapid motion.  The pace at which we went that
+morning was exceptionally charming.  Had I known that the engine-driver
+was intoxicated perhaps it might not have been quite so exhilarating,
+but I did not know that.  I sat comfortably in my corner thinking of
+Edith, and gazing with placid benignity at the frosted trees and bushes
+which sparkled in the red wintry sun.
+
+Yes, it was a glorious ride!  I never had a better.  The part of the
+country through which we passed was lovely.  One can always gaze
+comfortably at the _distant_ landscape from a railway carriage, however
+great the speed.  As for the immediate foreground, it reminded me of a
+race--houses, trees, farms, towns, villages, hamlets, horses, sheep,
+cattle, poultry, hayricks, brickfields, were among the competitors in
+that race.  They rushed in mad confusion to the rear.  I exulted in the
+pace.  Not so a stout elderly gentleman in the opposite corner, who
+evidently disliked it--so true is it that "one man's meat is another's
+poison."
+
+"There is no reason to fear, sir," said I, with a smile, by way of
+reassuring him.  "This is a most excellently managed line--one never
+hears of accidents on it."
+
+"Too fast just now, anyhow," returned the elderly gentleman testily.
+
+Just then the whistle was heard sounding violently.
+
+"That is a sign of safety," said I; "shows that they are on the alert."
+
+A severe application of the brakes caused me to stop abruptly, and the
+elderly man to seize the arms of his seat with a convulsive grasp.
+
+Suddenly there was a mighty crash.  The sensations in my mind that
+followed were suggestive of cannons, rockets, bombs, fireworks,
+serpents, shooting-stars, and tumbling _debris_.  Then--all was dark and
+silent as the grave!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
+
+A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.
+
+Slowly recovering consciousness, I found myself lying on the floor of a
+waiting-room, with a gentleman bending over me.  Instantly recollecting
+what had occurred, I endeavoured to start up, but was obliged to fall
+back again.
+
+"You must lie quiet sir," said the gentleman.  "You're not much hurt.
+We will send you on, if you choose, by the train that is expected in a
+few minutes."
+
+"Is the elderly gentleman safe?"  I asked eagerly.
+
+"Which elderly gentleman?  There were several in the train, but none are
+injured, I believe, though some are much shaken.  Nobody has been
+killed.  It has been quite a miraculous escape."
+
+"Merciful--call it merciful, my dear sir," said I, looking upwards and
+thanking God with all my heart for sparing my life.
+
+Two days after that I lay on the drawing-room sofa in Hoboy Crescent.
+Mr and Mrs McTougall had gone out.  So had the children, the forenoon
+being fine.  Edith had remained at home, for reasons which she did not
+see fit to divulge.  She sat beside me with one of her hands in mine.
+It was all arranged between us by that time.
+
+"Edith," said I after a short pause in our conversation, "I have long
+wanted to tell you about a dear little old lady with whom Robin Slidder
+and I have had much to do.  She's one of my poor patients, whom I have
+not mentioned to you before, but I've heard something about her lately
+which makes me wish to ask your advice--perhaps your aid--in a rather
+curious search which I've been engaged in for a long time past."
+
+"I will go for my work, John, and you shall tell me all about it," she
+replied, rising.  "I shall be five or ten minutes in preparing it.  Can
+you wait patiently?"
+
+"Well, I'll try, though of course it will be like a separation of five
+or ten years, but Dumps and I will solace each other in your absence.--
+By the way, touch the bell as you pass.  I should like to see Robin, not
+having had a talk with him since the accident."
+
+When Robin appeared I asked him if he had seen the Slogger.
+
+"No, sir, I 'aven't," replied Robin, with a somewhat cross look.  "That
+there Slogger has played me false these two times.  Leastwise, though he
+couldn't 'elp it the fust time, he's got to clear 'isself about the
+second."
+
+"You know where the Slogger lives, don't you?"  I asked.
+
+"Oh yes, but it's a long, long way off, an' I durstn't go without leave,
+an' since you was blowed up i' the train I've scarce 'ad a word with the
+doctor--he's bin that busy through 'avin' your patients on 'is 'ands as
+well as is own."
+
+"Well, Robin, I give you leave to go.  Be off within this very hour, and
+see that you bring me back some good news.  Now that we have reason to
+believe the poor girl is in London, perhaps near us, I cannot rest until
+we find her--or prove the scent to have been a false one.  Away with
+you!"
+
+As the boy went out, Edith came back with her work basket.
+
+"I've been thinking," said I, as she sat down on a stool beside me,
+"that before beginning my story, it would be well that you should
+unburden your dear little heart of that family secret of yours which you
+thought at first was a sufficient bar to our union.  But before you
+begin, let me solemnly assure you that your revelations, whatever they
+are, will utterly fail to move me.  Though you should declare yourself
+to be the daughter of a thief, a costermonger, or a chimpanzee monkey--
+though you should profess yourself to have been a charwoman, a
+foundling, a Billingsgate fish-woman, or a female mountebank--my
+feelings and resolves will remain the same.  Sufficient for me to know
+that you are _you_, and that you are _mine_!--There, go on."
+
+"Truly, then, if such be your feelings, there is no need of my going on,
+or even beginning," she replied, with a smile, and yet with a touch of
+sadness in her tone which made me grasp her hand.
+
+"Ah, Edith!  I did not mean to hurt you by my jesting, and yet the
+spirit of what I say is true--absolutely true."
+
+"You did not hurt me, John; you merely brought to my remembrance my
+great sorrow and--"
+
+"Your great sorrow!"  I exclaimed in surprise, gazing at her smooth
+young face.
+
+"Yes, my great sorrow, and I was going to add, my loss.  But you shall
+hear.  I have no family mystery to unfold.  All that I wished you to
+know on that head was that I am without family altogether.  All are
+dead.  I have no relation on earth--not one."
+
+She said this with such deep pathos, while tears filled her eyes, that I
+could not have uttered a word of comfort to save my life.
+
+"And," she continued, "I am absolutely penniless.  These two points at
+first made me repel you--at least, until I had explained them to you.
+Now that you look upon them as such trifles I need say no more.  But the
+loss to which I have referred is, I fear, irreparable.  You won't think
+me selfish or tiresome if I go back to an early period of my history?"
+
+"Selfish! tiresome!"  I repeated, "oh, Edith!"
+
+"Well, then, many years ago my father and mother lived by the seashore
+not far from Yarmouth.  They were poor.  My father gave lessons in
+French, my mother taught music.  But they earned sufficient to support
+themselves and my grandmother and me in comfort.  We were a _very_ happy
+family, for we all loved God and tried to follow in the footsteps of
+Jesus.  I gave them, indeed, a great deal of trouble at first, but He
+overcame my stubborn heart at last, and then there was nothing to mar
+the happiness of our lives.  But sickness came.  My father died.  My
+mother tried to struggle on for a time, but could not earn enough; I
+tried to help her by teaching, but had myself need of being taught.  At
+last we changed our residence, in hopes of getting more remunerative
+employment, but in this we failed.  Then my mother fell sick and died."
+
+She stopped at this point.
+
+"Oh, Edith! this makes you doubly dear," said I, drawing her nearer to
+me.
+
+In a few minutes she continued--
+
+"Being left alone now with my grandmother, I resolved to go to London
+and try to find employment in the great city.  We had not been long
+here, and I had not yet obtained employment when an extraordinary event
+occurred which has ever since embittered my life.  I went out for a walk
+one day, and was robbed."
+
+"How strange!"  I exclaimed, half rising from the sofa.  "What a curious
+coincidence!"
+
+"What!  How?  What do you mean?" she asked, looking at me in surprise.
+
+"Never mind just now.  When I come to tell you _my_ story you will
+understand.  There is a robbery of a young girl in it too.--Go on.--"
+
+"Well, then, as I said, I was robbed by a man and a boy.  I had dear
+little Pompey with me at the time, and that is the way I came to lose
+him.  But the terrible thing was that an accident befell me just after I
+was robbed, and I never saw my darling grandmother again--"
+
+"Coincidence!"  I exclaimed, starting up, as a sudden thought was forced
+upon my mind, and my heart began to beat violently, "this is _more_ than
+a coincidence; and yet--it cannot be--pooh! impossible! ridiculous!  My
+mind is wandering."
+
+I sank back somewhat exhausted, for I had been considerably weakened by
+my accident.  Edith was greatly alarmed at my words and looks, and
+blamed herself for having talked too much to me in my comparatively weak
+condition.
+
+"No, you have not talked too much to me.  You cannot do that, dear
+_Edie_," I said.
+
+It was now her turn to look bewildered.
+
+"_Edie_!" she echoed.  "Why--why do you call me Edie?"
+
+I covered my eyes with my hand, that she might not see their expression.
+
+"There can be no doubt _now_," I thought; "but why that name of Blythe?"
+Then aloud:
+
+"It is a pretty contraction for Edith, is it not?  Don't you like it?"
+
+"Like it?  Yes.  Oh, how much!  But--but--"
+
+"Well, Edie," I said, laying powerful restraint on myself, and looking
+her calmly in the face, "you must bear with me to-night.  You know that
+weakness sometimes causes men to act unaccountably.  Forgive me for
+interrupting you.  I won't do it again, as the naughty boys say.--Go on,
+dear, with your story."
+
+I once more covered my eyes with my hand, as if to shade them from the
+light, and listened, though I could scarcely conceal my agitation.
+
+"The name of Edie," she continued, "is that by which my darling granny
+always called me, and it sounded so familiar--yet so strange--coming
+from your lips.  But, after all, it is a natural abbreviation.  Well, as
+I said, an accident befell me.  I had burst away from the thieves in a
+state of wild horror, and was attempting to rush across a crowded
+thoroughfare, when a cab knocked me down.  I felt a sharp pang of pain,
+heard a loud shout and then all was dark.
+
+"On recovering I found myself lying in one of the beds of a hospital.
+My collar-bone had been broken, and I was very feverish--scarcely
+understood where I was, and felt a dull sense of oppression on my brain.
+They spoke to me, and asked my name.  I don't remember distinctly how I
+pronounced it, but I recollect being somewhat amused at their
+misunderstanding what I said, and calling me Miss Eva Bright!  I felt
+too ill to correct them at the time, and afterwards became so accustomed
+to Eva--for I was a very long time there--that I did not think it worth
+while to correct the mistake.  This was very foolish and unfortunate,
+for long afterwards, when I began to get well enough to think
+coherently, and sent them to let granny know where I was, they of course
+went with the name of Eva Bright.  It was very stupid, no doubt, but I
+was so weak and listless after my long and severe illness that this
+never once occurred to me.  As it turned out, however, there would have
+been no difference in the result, for my darling had left her lodging
+and gone no one knew where.  This terrible news brought on a relapse,
+and for many weeks, I believe, my life hung on a thread.  But that
+thread was in the hand of God, and I had no fear."
+
+"What is the name, Edie, of the grandmother you have lost?"  I asked, in
+a low, tremulous voice.
+
+"Willis--but--why do you start so?  Now I am quite _sure_ you have been
+more severely hurt than you imagine, and that my talking so much is not
+good for you."
+
+"No--Edie--no.  Go on," I said firmly.
+
+"I have little more to tell," she continued.  "Dear Dr McTougall had
+attended me in the hospital, and took a fancy to me.  When I was well
+enough to leave, he took me home to be governess to his children.  But
+my situation has been an absolute sinecure as yet, for he says I am not
+strong enough to work, and won't let me do anything.  It was not till
+after I had left the hospital that I told my kind friend the mistake
+that had been made about my name, and about my lost grandmother.  He has
+been very kind about that, and assisted me greatly at first in my search
+for her.  But there are so many--so many people of the name of Willis in
+London--old ladies too!  We called together on so many that he got tired
+of it at last.  Of course I wrote to various people at York, and to the
+place where we had lived before going there, but nothing came of it, and
+now--my hopes have long ago died out--that is to say, almost--but I
+still continue to make inquiries."
+
+She paused here for some time, and I did not move or speak, being so
+stunned by my discovery that I knew not what to say, and feared to
+reveal the truth to Edith too suddenly.  Then I knew by the gentle way
+in which she moved that she thought I had fallen asleep.  I was glad of
+this, and remained quietly thinking.
+
+There was no doubt now in my mind that Edie Blythe was this lost
+granddaughter of old Mrs Willis, but the name still remained an
+insoluble mystery.
+
+"Edie," said I abruptly, "_is_ your name Blythe?"
+
+"Of course it is," she said, in startled surprise, "why should you doubt
+it?"
+
+"I _don't_ doubt it," said I, "but I'm sorely puzzled.  Why is it not
+Willis?"
+
+"Why?" exclaimed Edie, with a little laugh, "because I am the daughter
+of Granny Willis's daughter--not of her son.  My father's name was
+Blythe!"
+
+The simplicity of this explanation, and my gross stupidity in quietly
+assuming from the beginning, as a matter of course, that the lost Edie's
+name was the same as her grandmother's, burst upon me in its full force.
+The delusion had been naturally perpetuated by Mrs Willis never
+speaking of her lost darling except by her Christian name.  For a few
+seconds I was silent, then I exploded in almost an hysterical fit of
+laughter, in the midst of which I was interrupted by the sudden entrance
+of my doggie, who had returned from a walk with Robin, and began to
+gambol round his mistress as if he had not seen her for years.
+
+"Oh, sir!  I say!  I've diskivered all about--"
+
+Little Slidder had rushed excitedly into the room, but stopped abruptly
+on observing Miss Blythe, who was looking from him to me with intense
+surprise.
+
+Before another word could be said, a servant entered:--
+
+"Please, Miss Blythe, Doctor McTougall wishes to see you in his study."
+
+She left us at once.
+
+"Now, Robin," said I, with emphasis, "sit down on that chair, opposite
+me, and let's hear all about it."
+
+The excited boy obeyed, and Dumps, leaping on another chair beside him,
+sat down to listen, with ears erect, as if he knew what was coming.
+
+"Oh, sir! you never--such a go!" began Robin, rubbing his hands together
+slowly as he spoke.  "The Slogger! he twigged 'er at once.  You'll open
+your eyes so wide that you'll never git 'em shut again, w'en you hears.
+No, I never _did_ see such a lark!  Edie's found!  I've seen her!  She
+ain't the Queen--oh no; nor yet one o' the Queen's darters--by no means;
+nor yet a duchess--oh dear no, though she's like one.  Who d'ye think
+she is?  But you'll never guess."
+
+"I'll try," said I, with a quiet smile, for I had subdued myself by that
+time.
+
+"Try away then--who?"
+
+"Miss Edith Blythe!"
+
+On hearing this, little Slidder's eyes began to open and glisten till
+they outshone his own buttons.
+
+"Why--how--ever--did you come to guess it?" gasped the boy, on
+recovering himself.
+
+"I did not guess it, I found it out.  Do you suppose that nobody can
+find out things except Sloggers and pages in buttons?"
+
+"Oh, sir, _do_ tell!" entreated the boy.
+
+I did tell, and after we had each told all that we knew, we mentally
+hugged ourselves, and grew so facetious over it that we began to address
+Dumps personally, to that intelligent creature's intense satisfaction.
+
+"Now, Robin," said I, "we must break this _very_ cautiously to the old
+lady and Miss Blythe."
+
+"Oh, in course--we-r-y cautiously," assented the urchin, with
+inconceivable earnestness.
+
+"Well, then, off you go and fetch my greatcoat.  We'll go visit Mrs
+Willis at once."
+
+"At vunce," echoed Robin, as he ran out of the room, with blazing cheeks
+and sparkling eyes.
+
+"Lilly," said Dr McTougall, as Edith entered his consulting-room.  "I'm
+just off to see a patient who is very ill, and there is another who is
+not quite so ill, but who also wants to see me.  I'll send you to the
+latter as my female assistant, if you will go.  Her complaint is chiefly
+mental.  In fact, she needs comfort more than physic, and I know of no
+one who is comparable to you in that line.  Can you go?"
+
+"Certainly, with pleasure.  I'll go at once."
+
+"Her name," said the doctor, "is Willis.--By the way, that reminds me of
+your loss, dear girl," he continued in a lower tone, as he gently took
+her hand, "but I would not again arouse your hopes.  You know how many
+old women of this name we have seen without finding her."
+
+"Yes, I know too well," returned poor Edith, while the tears gathered in
+her eyes.  "I have long ago given up all hope."
+
+But notwithstanding her statement Edith had not quite given way to
+despair.  In spite of herself her heart fluttered a little as she sped
+on this mission to the abode of _another_ old Mrs Willis.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
+
+THE LAST.
+
+When Robin and I reached the abode of our old friend--in a state, let me
+add, of almost irrepressible excitement--we found her seated in the old
+arm-chair by the window, gazing sadly out on the prospect.
+
+It was not now the prospect of red brick and water-spout, with a remote
+distance of chimney--cans and cats, which had crushed the old lady's
+spirit in other days--by no means.  There was a picturesque little
+court, with an old pump in the centre to awaken the fancy, and frequent
+visits from more or less diabolical street-boys, to excite the
+imagination.  Beyond that there was the mews, in which a lively scene of
+variance between horses and men was enacted from morning till night--a
+scene which derived much additional charm from the fact that Mrs
+Willis, being short-sighted, formed fearfully incorrect estimates of
+men, and beasts, and things in general.
+
+"Well, granny, how are you?" said I, seating myself on a stool beside
+her, and thinking how I should begin.
+
+"Pretty griggy--eh?" inquired little Slidder.
+
+"Ah! there you are, my dear boys," said the old lady, who had latterly
+got to look upon me and my _protege_ as brothers.  "You are always sure
+to come, whoever fails me."
+
+"Has any one failed you to-day, granny?"  I asked.
+
+"Yes, Dr McTougall has," she replied as petulantly as it was possible
+for her to speak.  "I've been feeling very low and weak to-day, and sent
+for him; but I suppose he thinks it's only imagination.  Well, well,
+perhaps it is," she added, after a pause, and with a little sigh.  "I'm
+very foolish, no doubt."
+
+"No, granny," said I, "you're not foolish,"--("Contrariwise, wery much
+the reverse," interrupted Slidder)--"and I'm glad that I chanced to come
+in, because, perhaps, I may be able to prescribe for you as well as he."
+
+"Better, dear boy, better"--("That's it, cheer up!" from Slidder)--"and
+it always does me a world of good to see your handsome face."
+
+"Well, granny," said I, with a flutter at my heart, as I looked up at
+her thin careworn face, and began to break the ice with caution, "I've
+come--I--there's a little piece of--of--"
+
+"Now then, dig in the spurs, doctor, an' go at it--neck or nuffin',"
+murmured my impatient companion.
+
+"What are you saying, Robin?" asked Mrs Willis, with a slightly anxious
+look.  "There's nothing wrong, I hope?"
+
+"No, no; nothing wrong, granny," said I, hastening to the point; "very
+much the reverse.  But--but--you heard of my accident, of course?"  I
+said, suddenly losing heart and beating about the bush.
+
+"Stuck again!" murmured Slidder, in a tone of disgust.
+
+"Yes, yes; I heard of it.  You don't mean to say that you're getting
+worse?" said the old lady, with increasing anxiety.
+
+"Oh no!  I'm better--much better.  Indeed, I don't think I ever felt so
+well in my life; and I've just heard a piece of good news, which, I'm
+quite sure, will make you very glad--very glad indeed!"
+
+"Go it, sir!  Another burst like that and you'll be clear out o' the
+wood," murmured Slidder.
+
+"In fact," said I, as a sudden thought struck, "I'm going to be
+married!"
+
+"Whew! you never told _me_ that!" exclaimed Slidder, with widening eyes.
+
+"_Will_ you be quiet, Robin?" said I, rather sternly; "how can I get
+over this very difficult matter if you go on interrupting me so?"
+
+"Mum's the word!" returned the boy, folding his hands, and assuming a
+look of ridiculous solemnity.
+
+At that moment we heard a noise of pattering feet on the landing
+outside.  The door, which had not been properly closed, burst open, and
+my doggie came into the room all of a heap.  After a brief moment lost
+in apparently searching for his hind-legs, he began to dance and frisk
+about the room as if all his limbs were whalebone and his spirit
+quicksilver.
+
+"Oh, there's that dog again!  Put it out! put it out!" cried Mrs
+Willis, gathering her old skirts around her feet.
+
+"Get out, Dumps! how dare you come here, sir, without leave?"
+
+"_I_ gave him leave," said a sweet voice in the passage.
+
+Next moment a sweeter face was smiling upon me, as Edith entered the
+room.
+
+There was a feeble cry at the window.  I observed that the sweet smile
+vanished, and a deadly pallor overspread Edith's face, while her eyes
+gazed with eager surprise at the old lady for a few seconds.  Mrs
+Willis sat with answering gaze and outstretched arms.
+
+"Edie!"
+
+"Granny!" was all that either could gasp, but there was no need for
+more--the lost ones were mutually found!  With an indescribable cry of
+joy Edith sprang forward, fell on her knees, and enfolded granny in her
+arms.
+
+"'Ere you are, doctor," whispered Robin, touching me on the elbow and
+presenting a tumbler of water.
+
+"How?  What?"
+
+"She'll need it, doctor.  I knows her well, an' it's the on'y thing as
+does her good w'en she's took bad."
+
+Slidder was right.  The shock of joy was almost too much for the old
+lady.  She leaned heavily on her granddaughter's neck, and if I had not
+caught her, both must have fallen to the ground.  We lifted her gently
+into bed, and in a few minutes she recovered.
+
+For some time she lay perfectly still.  Edith, reclining on the lowly
+couch, rested her fair young cheek on the withered old one.
+
+Presently Mrs Willis moved, and Edith sat up.
+
+"John," said the former to me, looking at the latter, "this is my Edie,
+thanks be to the Lord."
+
+"Yes, granny, I know it, and she's my Edie too!"
+
+A surprised and troubled look came on her old face.  She evidently was
+pained to think that I could jest at such a moment.  I hastened to
+relieve her.
+
+"It is the plain and happy truth that I tell you, granny.  Edith is
+engaged to marry me.--Is it not so?"
+
+I turned towards the dear girl, who silently put one of her hands in
+mine.
+
+Old Mrs Willis spoke no word, but I could see that her soul was full of
+joy.  I chanced to glance at Robin, and observed that that waif had
+retired to the window, and was absolutely wiping his eyes, while Dumps
+sat observant in the middle of the room, evidently much surprised at,
+but not much pleased with, the sudden calm which had succeeded the
+outburst.
+
+"Come, Robin," said I, rising, "I think that you and I will leave them--
+Good-bye, granny and Edie; I shall soon see you again."
+
+I paused at the door and looked back.
+
+"Come, Dumps, come."
+
+My doggie wagged his scrumpy tail, cocked his expressive ears, and
+glanced from me to his mistress, but did not rise.
+
+"Pompey prefers to remain with me," said Edie; "let him stay."
+
+"Punch is a wise dog," observed Robin, as we descended the stairs
+together; "but you don't ought to let your spirits go down, sir," he
+added, with a profoundly sagacious glance, "'cause, of course, he can't
+'elp 'isself now.  He'll 'ave to stick to you wotever 'appens--an' to me
+too!"
+
+I understood the meaning of his last words, and could not help smiling
+at the presumptuous certainty with which he assumed that he was going to
+follow my fortunes.
+
+Is it needful to say that when I mentioned what had occurred to Dr
+McTougall that amiable little man opened his eyes to their widest?
+
+"You young dog!" he exclaimed, "was it grateful in you to repay all my
+kindness by robbing me in this sly manner of my governess--nay, I may
+say, of my daughter, for I have long ago considered her such, and
+adopted her in my heart?"
+
+"It was not done slily, I assure you," said I; "indeed, I fought against
+the catastrophe with all my might--but I--I could not help it at last;
+it came upon me, as it were, unexpectedly--took me by surprise."
+
+"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor.
+
+"Besides," I added, "you can scarcely call it robbery, for are not you
+and I united as partners, so that instead of robbing you, I have, in
+reality, created another bond of union between you and Edie?"
+
+"H'm!" said the doctor.
+
+"Moreover," I continued, "it happens most opportunely just now that the
+house opposite this one is to let.  It is a much smaller and
+lower-rented house than this, and admirably suited for a very small
+family, so that if I secure it we will scarcely, I may say, have to quit
+your roof."
+
+"Ah! to be sure," returned the doctor, falling in with my humour, "we
+will have the pleasure of overlooking and criticising each other and our
+respective households.  We may sit at the windows and converse across
+the street in fine weather, or flatten our noses on the glass, and make
+faces at each other when the weather is bad.  Besides, we can have a
+tunnel cut under the street and thus have subterranean communication at
+any time of the day or night--and what a charming place that would be
+for the children to romp in!  Of course, we would require to have it
+made of bricks or cast-iron to prevent the rats connecting it with the
+sewers, but--"
+
+A breeze of pattering feet overhead induced the doctor to pause.  It
+increased to a gale on the staircase, to a tempest in the lobby.  The
+door was burst open, and Jack, and Harry, and Job, and Jenny, and Dolly,
+with blazing cheeks and eyes, tumbled tumultuously into the room.
+
+"Oh papa!" screamed Harry, "Lilly's been out an' found her mother!"
+
+"No, it's not--it's her gan-muver," shrieked Dolly.
+
+"Yes, an' Dr Mellon's going to marry her," cried Jenny.
+
+"Who?--the grandmother?" asked the doctor, with a surprised look.
+
+"No--Lilly," they all cried, with a shout of laughter, which Jack
+checked by stoutly asserting that it was her great-grandmother that
+Lilly had found.  This drew an emphatic, "No, it's not," from Job, and a
+firmly reiterated assertion that it was "only her gan-muver" from Dolly.
+
+"But Robin said so," cried Jack.
+
+"No, he _didn't_," said Job.
+
+"Yes, he _did_," cried Harry.
+
+"Robin said she's found 'er _gan-muver_," said Dolly.
+
+"I'll go an' ask him," cried Jenny, and turning round, she rushed out of
+the room.  The others faced about, as one child, and the tempest swept
+back into the lobby, moderated to a gale on the staircase, and was
+reduced to a breeze--afterwards to a temporary calm--overhead.
+
+Before it burst forth again the doctor and I had put on our hats and
+left the house.
+
+From that date forward, for many weeks, the number of lost grandmothers
+that were found in the McTougall nursery surpasses belief.  They were
+discovered in all sorts of places, and in all imaginable circumstances--
+under beds, tables, upturned baths, and basin-stands; in closets,
+trunks, and cupboards, and always in a condition of woeful weakness and
+melancholy destitution.  The part of grandmother was invariably assigned
+to Dolly, because, although the youngest of the group, that little
+creature possessed a power of acting and of self-control which none of
+the others could equal.  At first they were careful to keep as close to
+the original event as possible; but after a time, thirsting for variety,
+they became lax, and the grandmothers were found not only by
+granddaughters, but by daughters, and cousins, and nieces, and nephews;
+but the play never varied in the points of extreme poverty and woe,
+because Dolly refused, with invincible determination, to change or
+modify her part.
+
+After a time they varied the performance with a wedding, in which
+innumerable Dr Mellons were united to endless Lilly Blythes; but after
+the real wedding took place, and the cake had been utterly consumed,
+they returned to their first love--Lost and Found, as they termed it or,
+the Gan-muver's Play.
+
+So, in course of time, the house over the way was actually taken and
+furnished.  Edie was installed therein as empress; I as her devoted
+slave--when not otherwise engaged.  And, to say truth, even when I _was_
+otherwise engaged I always managed to leave my heart at home.
+Anatomists may, perhaps, be puzzled by this statement.  If so--let them
+be puzzled!  Gan-muver was also installed as queen-dowager, in a suite
+of apartments consisting of one room and a closet.
+
+It was not in Dr McTougall's nursery alone that the game of Lost and
+Found was played.
+
+In a little schoolroom, not far distant from our abode, that game was
+played by Edie--assisted by Robin Slidder and myself--with considerable
+success.
+
+Robin crossed the street to me--came over, as it were--with Edith the
+conqueror and our doggie, and afterwards became a most valuable ally in
+searching for, drawing forth, tempting out and gathering in the lost.
+He and I sought for them in some of the lowest slums of London.  Robin's
+knowledge of their haunts and ways, and, his persuasive voice, had
+influence where none but himself--or some one like him--could have made
+any impression.  We tempted them to our little hall with occasional
+feasts, in which buns, oranges, raisins, gingerbread, and tea played
+prominent parts, and when we had gathered them in, Edith came to them,
+like an angel of light and preached to them the gospel of Jesus, at once
+by example, tone, look, and word.
+
+Among others who came to our little social meetings was the Slogger.
+That unpunished criminal not only launched with, apparently, heart and
+soul into the good cause, but he was the means of inducing many others
+to come, and when, in after years, his old comrade, Mr Brassey,
+returned from his enforced residence in foreign parts, the Slogger
+sought for and found him, and stuck to him with the pertinacity of his
+bulldog nature until he fairly brought him in.
+
+Thus that good work went on with us.  Thus it is going on at the present
+time in many, many parts of our favoured land, and thus it will go on,
+with God's blessing, until His people shall all be gathered into the
+fold of the Good Shepherd--until that day when the puzzlements and
+bewilderments of this incomprehensible life shall be cleared up; when we
+shall be enabled to understand _why_ man has been so long permitted to
+dwell in the midst of conflicting good and evil, and why he has been
+required to live on earth by faith and not by sight, trusting in the
+unquestionable goodness and wisdom of Him who is our Life and our Light.
+
+In all our work, whether temporal or spiritual, we had the help and
+powerful sympathy of our friend Dr McTougall and his family; also of
+_his_ friend Dobson, the City man, who was a strong man in more ways
+than one, and a zealous champion of righteousness--or "rightness," as he
+was fond of calling it, in contradistinction to wrongness.
+
+I meant to let fall the curtain at this point but something which I
+cannot explain induces me to keep it up a few minutes longer, in order
+to tell you that the little McTougalls grew up to be splendid men and
+women; that dear old granny is still alive and well, insomuch that she
+bids fair to become a serene centenarian; that my sweet Edie is now
+"fair, fat, and forty;" that I am grey and hearty; that Dumps is greyer,
+and so fat, as well as stiff, that he wags his ridiculous tail with the
+utmost difficulty; that Brassey and the Slogger have gone into
+partnership in the green-grocery line round the corner; and that Robin
+Slidder is no longer a boy, but has become a man and a butler.  He is
+still in our service, and declares that he will never leave it.  My firm
+conviction is that he will keep his word as long as he can.
+
+So now, amiable reader, with regret and the best of wishes, we make our
+final bow-"wow"--and:
+
+  Bid you good-bye,
+  My doggie and I.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of My Doggie and I, by R.M. Ballantyne
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