No sooner did the schoolmistress set eyes upon her respected mother, than she rushed madly to her, and told her that she had been the ruin of her, and that if it hadn’t been for her, Miss Chutney would still have been in the house: this so affected the elder Wewitz, that she began, in her turn, to tear her hair; but, unfortunately, each time she clasped her head, as if distracted, the front of her wig was seen to move gradually round, until the natural parting stood right over one ear, while the top-knot was seen projecting above the other. The schoolmistress, who, notwithstanding the intensity of her agony, observed the eyes of the shipping agent fixed upon the wig of her respected mother, ordered her parent to retire to her room immediately, and then endeavoured to apologize as best she could, for the disappearance of his ward, to the shipping agent. That gentleman was not to be appeased by any such means, however, and left the house, vowing that he would commence an action at law against her immediately for damages, and publish the transaction to the whole world. * * * * * What poor Mr. and Mrs. Sandboys, their son and daughter, had been doing all this while, must be reserved for the next chapter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXII. “And is it thee, my Jobby lad— And safe return’d frae war? Thou’rt dearer to thy mother’s heart Sin’ thou hast been sae far. But tell me aw that’s happen’d thee, The neet is wearing fast; There’s nought I like sae weel to hear, As dangers that are past.” _The Sailor Lad’s Return._ WE must now return to our poor lost muttons, “Mr. and Mrs. Sandboys, their son and daughter.” The journey of Master Jobby to Wimbledon and back was sufficiently long to try the patience of poor Mrs. Cursty. Though the youth was fleet of foot, the “busses” on the road were unluckily on the most amicable terms; and being unopposed, the “CELERITIES” drawled along at little better than hearse-pace, as if they belonged to the “Mors omnibus” species, and had no great inclination to “look alive.”