"Well, you might, lad, and welcome; they're very comf'table. P'r'aps you'd like to laugh at my boots. Haw, haw, haw, Master Morton, what d'yer think I did yes'day? I took little flower here, after missus had washed her, and put her right into one o' my boots, and she stood up in it with her head and arms out, laughing and crowing a good 'un. Ar'n't she a little beauty?" "Yes," said Morton, looking down and playing with the child. "Whose is she?" "Dunno. Ask the missus." "And she won't tell me, Dick." "That's so. But look here, lad. I'm sorry I laughed at Master Denville, for he's a nice gentleman, and always has a kind word and a smile, if he doesn't pay his bill." "Dick!" "All right, my lad, all right. You'll pay that when you're rich. I say: chaps sez as you'll marry Lady Drelincourt, now, after saving her dog, and--" "Don't be a fool, Dick. Here, what were you going to say?" said the lad, reddening. "You won't want a bit of fishing then, I suppose?" "Look here; are you going to speak, Dick, or am I to go?" "All right, my lad. Look here; we eat your dabs, but never mind them. I shall just quietly leave a basket at your door to-night. You needn't know anything about it, and you needn't be too proud to take it, for a drop in the house is worth a deal sometimes, case o' sickness. It's real French sperit, and a drop would warm the old gentleman sometimes when he is cold." "Smuggling again, Dick?" "Never you mind about that, Master Morton, and don't call things by ugly names. But that ar'n't all I've got to say. You lost your dabs, but if you'll slip out to-night and come down the pier, the tide'll be just right, and I'll have the bait and lines ready, and I'll give you as good a bit of fishing as you'd wish to have." "Will you, Dick?" "Ay, that I will. They were on last night, but they'll be wonderful to-night, and I shouldn't wonder if we ketches more than we expex." "Oh, but I couldn't go, Dick." "Why not, lad?" "You see, I should have to slip out in the old way--through the drawing-room, and down the balcony pillar." "Same as you and Master Fred used, eh?" "Don't talk about him," said the lad. "Well, he's your own brother." "Yes, but father won't have his name mentioned," said the boy sadly. "He's to be dead to us. Here, what a fool I am, talking so to you!" "Oh, I don't know, my lad; we was always friends, since you was quite a little chap, and I used to give you rides in my boat." "Yes; you always were a friend, Dick, and I like you." "On'y you do get a bit prouder now you're growing such a strapping chap, Master Morton." "I shan't change to you, Dick." "Then come down to-night, say at half arter 'leven." Morton shook his head. "Why, you ar'n't afraid o' seeing the old woman's ghost, are you?" "Absurd! No. But it seems so horrible to come down that balcony pillar to get out on the sly." "Why, you never used to think so, my lad."