"Because you were here; Mary told me so. I have not yet thanked you for your present, but I have not forgotten your kindness in thinking of a poor boy like me, when he was far away; here it is," continued Joey, taking out the pencil-case, "and I have loved it dearly," added he, kissing it, "ever since I have had it in my possession. I very often have taken it out and thought of you." "Now you are so rich a man, you should give me something to keep for your sake," replied Emma; "and I will be very careful of it, for old acquaintance' sake." "What can I offer to you? you are a young lady; I would give you all I had in the world, if I dared, but--" "When I first saw you," rejoined Emma, "you were dressed as a young gentleman." "Yes, I was," replied Joey, with a sigh; and as the observation of Emma recalled to his mind the kindness of the McShanes, he passed his hand across his eyes to brush away a tear or two that started. "I did not mean to make you unhappy," said Emma, taking our hero's hand. "I am sure you did not," replied Joey, smiling. "Yes, I was then as you say; but recollect that lately I have been a knife-grinder." "Well, you know, your friend said, that it was the nearest thing to a gentleman; and now I hope you will be quite a gentleman again." "Not a gentleman, for I must turn to some business or another," replied Joey. "I did not mean an idle gentleman; I meant a respectable profession," said Emma. "My uncle is a very odd man, but very good-hearted; you must not mind his way towards you. He is very fond of mamma and me, and I have no doubt will interest himself about you, and see that your money is not thrown away. Perhaps you would like to set up a bumboat on your own account?" added Emma, laughing. "No, I thank you; I had enough of that. Poor Mrs Chopper! what a kind creature she was! I'm sure I ought to be very grateful to her for thinking of me as she did." "I believe," said Emma, "that she was a very good woman, and so does mamma. Recollect Joey, when you speak to my uncle, you must not contradict him." "I am sure I shall not," replied Joey; "why should I contradict a person so far my superior in years and everything else?" "Certainly not; and as he is fond of argument, you had better give up to him at once; and, indeed," continued Emma, laughing, "everybody else does in the end. I hope you will find a nice situation, and that we shall see a great deal of you." "I am sure I do," replied Joey, "for I have no friends that I may see, except you. How I wish that you did know everything!"