As they swung round into the Bayswater Road the cab came in contact with a butcher's cart, which, being the lighter vehicle, was nearly upset. No serious damage resulted, however, and soon after they drew up at the door of the house next Mr Auberly's; for that gentleman still occupied the residence of his friend. "Master Willders," said Hopkins, ushering him into the presence of Mr Auberly, who still sat at the head of the couch. Willie nodded to Loo and then to her father. "Boy," said the latter, beckoning Willie to approach, "my daughter wishes me to go and visit a poor family near London Bridge. She tells me you know their name and address." "The fairy, you know," said Loo, explaining. "Ah, the Cattleys," answered Willie. "Yes," resumed Mr Auberly. "Will you conduct me to their abode?" In some surprise Willie said that he would be happy to do so, and then asked Loo how she did. While Mr Auberly was getting ready, Willie was permitted to converse with Loo and Mrs Rose, who was summoned to attend her young mistress. Presently Mr Auberly returned, bade Mrs Rose be very careful of the invalid, and then set off with Willie. At first the boy felt somewhat awed by the remarkably upright figure that stalked in silence at his side, but as they continued to thread their way through the streets he ventured to attempt a little conversation. "Weather's improvin', sir," said Willie, looking up. "It is," replied Mr Auberly, looking down in surprise at the boldness of his small guide. "Good for the country, sir," observed Willie. Mr Auberly, being utterly ignorant of rural matters, thought it best to say nothing to this. We may add that Willie knew just as little (or as much), and had only ventured the remark because he had often heard it made in every possible variety of weather, and thought that it would be a safe observation, replete, for all he knew to the contrary, with hidden wisdom. There was silence after this for some time. "D'you know Mr Tippet well, sir?" inquired Willie suddenly. "Ye--yes; oh yes, I know him _pretty_ well." "Ah, he's a first-rater," observed Willie, with a look of enthusiasm; "you've no notion what a trump he is. Did you hear ever of his noo machine for makin' artificial butter?" "No," said Mr Auberly, somewhat impatiently. "Ah, it's a wonderful invention, that is, sir." "Boy," said Mr Auberly, "will you be so good as to walk behind me?" "Oh, _cer'nly_, sir," said Willie, with a profound bow, as he fell to the rear. They walked on in silence until they came to the vicinity of the Monument, when Mr Auberly turned round and asked Willie which way they were to go now. "Right back again," said Willie. "How, boy; what do you mean?" "We've overshot the mark about half a mile, sir. But, please, I thought you must be wishin' to go somewhere else first, as you led the way." "Lead the way, _now_, boy," said Mr Auberly, with a stern look.