She knew that Dr. Slasher was an eccentric character, and thought that he might have sent for something to eat, though it was an extraordinary thing for a gentleman to do; so she had the cook put up a basketful of good things with which Tommy returned to the house in triumph. The doctor was just going out, and had his hat and coat on. "Did you give my message to Mrs. Jones?" he asked. "Yes, sir, and as you couldn't go yourself, I got her to give me your dinner in a basket." "You did what!" thundered the doctor. "Got your dinner, sir; here it is," replied Tommy, opening the lid of the basket and displaying the contents. "Are you a fool, or what are you?" vociferated the doctor. "I don't know," responded Tommy, sulkily. "It seems as if I never can do anything right." "Now, my boy," said the doctor, "you'll take this half-crown, and you'll go to a florist's to buy a bouquet of flowers. Having purchased the article, you will take it to Mrs. Jones, with my compliments, and explain that the dinner was your mistake." "Yes, sir." "If you make any blunder about it this time. I'll put leeches on you to suck your blood." Tommy had to walk some distance to reach a florist's, and when he did, he found the man had only one bouquet left. "How much for this?" he asked. "Two and-six," replied the man; and Tommy, throwing down the half-crown, took up the bouquet, which was very pretty and tastefully arranged. Going at once to Mrs. Jones', he was fortunate enough to find that the lady had just quitted the dinner table, and she saw him in the hall. "How did Dr. Slasher like what I sent him?" she asked, with a smile. "First-class, ma'am," replied Tommy, "only it was a mistake of mine, and I've brought you a bokay from the doctor." "I'm sure I feel very much obliged to the doctor, and you are a very good boy," she exclaimed, much gratified at the present. "Here's a shilling for you." This was intended as a gratuity for Tommy, but he thought she wanted to pay for the flowers, and that it was his duty to take the money back to his employer. "Please, ma'am, that ain't enough," he remarked. "Why not?" "It cost two-and-six. I want a shilling and sixpence more." CHAPTER XIV. A DOSE FOR THE DOCTOR. A look of displeasure crossed Mrs. Jones' face, but she handed Tommy the money. "Get out of the house," she said, "and tell Dr. Slasher that I don't understand this conduct at all. He's no gentleman." "I'll tell him, ma'am," answered Tommy, who was getting bewildered again, and away he posted home. "Did you make that all right?" he asked. "You can bet I did," answered Tommy, with a triumphant smile. "I'm the hunky-dory boy who can fix things." "Well, what did she say?" "She handed me a shilling for the flowers, which cost two-and-six, but I wasn't going to be beat that way." "What?"