"Don't you be afraid," went on the lady, "I tell you they'll pay up handsome. You and me, perhaps, wouldn't make much fuss if one of our young 'uns was to cut and run, but gentlefolks is different. It isn't likely that a lady can like the thought of a boy of hers knocking about in the gutter, and trying his luck in the ditch. Just you put your hat on, and you go straight to this here Upton, and you see if it isn't the best day's work you've ever done. I'll go fast enough, if you've not started soon." Mr. Jenkins did not seem to like this idea at all; his tone was a little sulky. "You needn't put yourself out, Eliza; I'm a-going." "Then why don't you go, instead of standing wool gathering there?" "You don't know his address. What am I to ask for when I get to this here Upton?" "Why, ask for Dr. Bailey; it's only a little place. You'll find he's as well known as the church clock, and perhaps better." "And about the boy; what are you going to do when he wakes up?" "I'll look after him. Don't you trouble your head about the boy; you'll find him here when you come back as safe as houses." "All right, Eliza, I'm off; and by to-night, I shouldn't be surprised if Master Bertie Bailey, Esquire, was returned to his fond parent's arms." His tone was jocular; but the expression of his countenance was not exactly genial when Master Bertie Bailey sat up in bed, as he did at this identical moment, and looked his host and hostess in the face. Chapter XIII IN PETERSHAM PARK Bertie looked at Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, and Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins looked at him, and husband and wife looked at one another. "And have you had a nice sleep, my dear?" Bertie vouchsafed no reply to the lady's question, continuing to look at her with his characteristically dogged look in his eyes. "And how long have you been awake, my dear? Have you only just now woke?" Bertie threw the clothes from off him, and turned to Mr. Jenkins. "I won't go home, even if you do go and tell my mother, you old sneak!" This uncomplimentary epithet was applied to Mr. Jenkins with such sullen ferocity, that that gentleman started and looked even more discomfited than he had done before. Bertie got out of bed and stood upon the floor. "Give me my clothes, and let me go; you've no right to keep me here." Mr. Jenkins was apparently speechless, but his quicker-witted wife was voluble enough. "Certainly, my dear. No one wants to keep you, lovey. You pay us what you owe and you're as free as the air!" "I don't owe you anything." "Not anything for a young gentleman like you; it's only six shillings, my dear." "Six shillings!" "Yes, six shillings. Would you like your bill, my dear? Jenkins, go and get the young gentleman his bill." "You're a lot of thieves!"