"He stoops a little," added the nurse, "and makes frightful faces. Some of the little ones were afraid of him, but before he went away he coaxed them to sit in his lap and put their hands in his pockets, where they found nuts and raisins and candy in abundance. A lady came in to see a little cripple, and as she passed him surrounded by a group of them, Neddy's chair rolled as close as he could get it, she remarked, smiling, 'It's a blessed work, sir.'" "Mr. Regy had not seen her before, and he started to his feet, looking very angry. "'Troublesome little brats!' he shouted, pushing them away." "Just like Mr. Lambert," was Marion's reflection. "How very strange there should be two such men!" Just then she noticed that several of the boys were putting their heads together, whispering and gesturing as they looked toward her. Presently one came forward, and asked, timidly,— "Will you please sing us a tune, Miss Howard?" "How do you know I can sing?" she asked, with one of her brightest smiles. "I heard you at the mission Sunday school. I'm Maurice Long, what used to be sent to the back seat for being allus in mischief." Maurice looked anything but humble, as he confessed his faults. "Why, Maurice!" exclaimed Marion, holding out her hand. "You have grown so much I did not know you,—and you are so pale, too." "Yes, miss. Me and another boy got into a fight, and I had my head smashed in, and the p'lice brought me here. I'm going out next week." "O Maurice!" Marion was interrupted by several voices shouting, "He'd fight agin, ma'am. He'd oughter. It was ter save a feller littler than him. Hurrah for Maurice!" "How was it, Nurse? I want to hear the story." "Maurice had a chance to earn a dime carrying a bundle for a gentleman from the cars. A little fellow came along, leading a poor, half-starved dog of which he seemed very fond. Just then a big bully of a boy met them, and began to tease the dog. When his owner timidly begged to be let alone, the bully flew at him, and then Maurice thought it time to interfere. He caught the bully by the hair, and would not let go till he was terribly bruised. A policeman came up and arrested both the boys, just as Maurice fainted from loss of blood. The gentleman had seen the whole fight from beginning to end, and he followed the bully to the court-room and gave his testimony, and called Maurice a hero." "And a good fighter, too," added Maurice, who had stood by, listening to all with a kind of proud humility. "I am glad you were not fighting to defend your own rights," said Marion, approvingly. "But who was the gentleman?" "He gave his name as Lambert," said the nurse. "There is a very curious sequel to the story," she added, in a low tone, as they turned away.