The proposal was received with clapping of hands; and Kiss sang "Tom Bowline" with such tender effect that he was called upon for another. "No," he said; "ask Linton. He knows a splendid song in another vein. Sing 'Little Billee,' Linton." In the joy of his heart Mr. Linton could not refuse, and he began to sing Thackeray's "astonishing piece of nonsense." He had a thin quavering voice which suited the air; but somehow or other the song was not a success with this particular audience. Upon 'Melia Jane the effect was alarming. When the singer came to the lines, "There's little Bill is young and tender, We're old and tough, so let's eat he," she slowly rose from her chair, with horror depicted on her face. The singer went on: "'O Bill, we're going to kill and eat you, So undo the collar of your chemie.' "When Bill received this infumation He used his pocket-handkerchie. "'O let me say my catechism, As my poor mammy taught to me!'" Here 'Melia Jane burst out blubbering so violently that she had to be conducted from the room. Mr. Linton concluded the song, however; but the applause which attended his effort was rather faint, and Kiss found it necessary to explain that the lines were really only nonsense lines. He himself soon restored the equilibrium by a sweet rendering of "Sally in our Alley"; and then followed other songs, by Phoebe and Fanny, and an old-fashioned duet by Aunt and Uncle Leth. Then there was a little bit of supper, at which Uncle Leth proposed the toast of "Success to Mr. Linton's delightful play," to which the author responded in feeling terms, and spoke of the happy evening he had spent. After actor and author were gone, Phoebe and the Lethbridges stopped up for an hour talking over the incidents of this remarkable night; but Uncle Leth said nothing of the bill for three hundred pounds to which he had put his name. CHAPTER XIII. CURL-PAPER CONFIDENCES.