"But here is your pocket-handkerchief, uncle David, if you mean to shed any tears for your misfortune," whispered Laura; "how very lucky that you felt it going!" "Yes, and very surprising too, for the trick was so cleverly executed! That little rascal might steal the teeth out of one's head, without being noticed! When I was in India, the thieves there were so expert that they really could draw the sheets from under a person sleeping in bed, without disturbing his slumbers." "With me, any person could do that, because I sleep so very soundly," observed Frank. "You might beat a military drum at my ear, as they do in the boy's sleeping rooms at Sandhurst, and it would not have the smallest effect. I scarcely think that even a gong would do!" "How very different from me," replied Laura. "Last night I was awakened by the scratching of a mouse nibbling in the wainscoat, and soon after it ran across my face." "Then pray sleep to-night with your mouth open, and a piece of toasted cheese in it, to catch the mouse," said Major Graham. "That is the best trap I know!" "Uncle David," asked Frank, as they proceeded along the street, "if there is any hope of that wicked boy being reformed, will you try to have him taught better? Being so very young, he must have learned from older people to steal." "Certainly he must! It is melancholy to know how carefully mere children are trained to commit the very worst crimes, and how little the mind of any young boy can be a match for the cunning of old, experienced villains like those who lead them astray. When once a child falls into the snare of such practised offenders, escape becomes as impossible as that of a bird from a limed twig." "So I believe," replied Frank. "Grandmama told me that the very youngest children of poor people, when first sent to school in London, are often waylaid by those old women who sell apples in the street, and who pretend to be so good-natured that they make them presents of fruit. Of course these are very acceptable, but after some time, those wicked wretches propose that the child in return shall bring them a book, or anything he can pick up at home, which shall be paid for in apples and pears. Few little boys have sufficient firmness not to comply, whether they like it or not, and after that the case is almost hopeless, because, whenever the poor victim hesitates to steal more, those cruel women threaten to inform the parents of his misconduct, which terrifies the boy into doing anything rather than be found out." "Oh, how dreadful!" exclaimed Laura. "It all begins so smoothly! No poor little boy could suspect any danger, and then he becomes a hardened thief at once."