Produced by Kathryn Lybarger, Sankar Viswanathan, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: Mrs. Bundle (see p. 3).] A FLAT IRON FOR A FARTHING or Some Passages in the Life of an only Son by Juliana Horatia Ewing Illustrated by M. V. Wheelhouse George Bell & Sons London 1908. * * * * * Dedicated TO MY DEAR FATHER, AND TO HIS SISTER, MY DEAR AUNT MARY, IN MEMORY OF THEIR GOOD FRIEND AND NURSE, E. B. OBIT 3 MARCH, 1872, AET. 83. J. H. E. * * * * * PREFACE An apology is a sorry Preface to any book, however insignificant, and yet I am anxious to apologise for the title of this little tale. The story grew after the title had been (hastily) given, and so many other incidents gathered round the incident of the purchase of the flat iron as to make it no longer important enough to appear upon the title page. It would, however, be dishonest to change the name of a tale which is reprinted from a Magazine; and I can only apologise for an appearance of affectation in it which was not intended. As the Dedication may seem to suggest that the character of Mrs. Bundle is a portrait, I may be allowed to say that, except in faithfulness, and tenderness, and high principle, she bears no likeness to my father's dear old nurse. It may interest some of my child readers to know that the steep street and the farthing wares are real remembrances out of my own childhood. Though whether in these days of "advanced prices," the flat irons, the gridirons with the three fish upon them, and all those other valuable accessories to doll's housekeeping, which I once delighted to purchase, can still be obtained for a farthing each, I have lived too long out of the world of toys to be able to tell. J. H. E. * * * * * CONTENTS CHAP. I. MOTHERLESS II. "THE LOOK"--RUBENS--MRS. BUNDLE AGAIN III. THE DARK LADY--TROUBLE IMPENDING--BEAUTIFUL, GOLDEN MAMMA IV. AUNT MARIA--THE ENEMY ROUTED--LONDON TOWN V. MY COUSINS--MISS BLOMFIELD--THE BOY IN BLACK VI. THE LITTLE BARONET--DOLLS--CINDER PARCELS--THE OLD GENTLEMAN NEXT DOOR--THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS VII. POLLY AND I RESOLVE TO BE "VERY RELIGIOUS"--DR. PEPJOHN--THE ALMS-BOX--THE BLIND BEGGAR VIII. VISITING THE SICK IX. "PEACE BE TO THIS HOUSE" X. CONVALESCENCE--MATRIMONIAL INTENTIONS--THE JOURNEY TO OAKFORD--OUR WELCOME