"Well--no, I don't like all that," said Frank, laughing; "but I like the vigour and energy that are called forth in the work, and I like the object of the work, which is to save life and property. Why," exclaimed Frank enthusiastically, "it has all the danger and excitement of a soldier's life without the bloody work, and with better ends in view." "Nay, nay, Frank," said the peaceful Mrs Willders, "you must not say `better ends,' because it is a great and glorious thing to defend one's native land." "A very just observation," said Miss Tippet, nodding approval. "Why, mother, who would have expected to hear _you_ standing up for the red-coats in this fashion?" said Frank. "I stand up for the blue-jackets too," observed Mrs Willders meekly; "they fight for their country as well." "True, mother," rejoined Frank; "but I did not refer to ultimate ends, I only thought of the immediate results in connection with those engaged. The warrior fights, and, in so doing, destroys life and property. The fireman fights, and in doing so protects and preserves both." "Hear! hear!" interrupted Willie; "but the copy-book says `Comparisons are _odiows_!' don't it? Mother, here's a fathom and two inches or so of humanity as wants me to go with him to Mr Auberly. I s'pose Frank can get along without me for a little while--eh?" "Certainly, my son; why does he want you?" "Don't know. P'raps he's goin' to offer to make me his secretary. But you don't seem at all alarmed at the prospect of my being carried off by a flunkey." "You'll come back, dearie, I doubt not." "Don't you? Oh, very well; then I'll just look after myself. If I don't return, I'll advertise myself in the _Times_. Good-bye." Willie returned to the door and announced that he was ready to go. "But where is William?" asked Hopkins. "Mister William Willders stands before you," said the boy, placing his hand on his heart and making a bow. "Come now, Long-legs," he added, seizing Hopkins by the arm and pushing him downstairs and into the cab. Leaping in after him he shut the door with a bang. "Now then, cabby, all right, Beverly Square, full split; sixpence extra if you do it within the half!" Away they went, and in a few seconds were in the Mall driving at a rattling pace. "See that house?" asked Willie, so suddenly as to startle Hopkins, who was quite overwhelmed by the vigour and energy of his young companion. "Eh! which! the one with the porch before the door?" "No, no, stoopid! the old red-brick house with the limbs of a vine all over the front of it, and the skeleton of a Virginia creeper on the wall." "Yes, I see it," said Hopkins, looking out. "Ah, a friend o' mine lives there. I'm on wisitin' terms there, I am. Now then, mind your eye, pump-handle," cried Willie; "the turn's rather sharp--hallo!"