"Nothing at all," replied Joey; "and I shall not take anything; you're very welcome; good-bye;" and so saying, Joey walked downstairs, although the woman halloed after him, and recommenced his peregrination in the streets of Gravesend; but he was soon tired of walking on the pavement, which was none of the best, and he then thought that he would go out into the country, and enjoy the green fields; so off he set, the same way that he came into the town, passed by the school of little Emma, and trudged away on the road, stopping every now and then to examine what attracted his notice; watching a bird if it sang on the branch of a tree, and not moving lest he should frighten it away; at times sitting down by the road-side, and meditating or the past and the future. The day was closing in, and Joey was still amusing himself as every boy who has been confined to a schoolroom would do; he sauntered on until he came to the very spot where he had been crying, and had met with little Emma Phillips; and as he sat down again, he thought of her sweet little face, and her kindness towards him--and there he remained some time till he was roused by some one singing as they went along the road. He looked up, and perceived it was the little girl, who was returning from school. Joey rose immediately, and walked towards her to meet her, but she did not appear to recognise him, and would have passed him if he had not said, "Don't you know me?" "Yes, I do now," replied she, smiling, "but I did not at first--you have put on another dress; I have been thinking of you all day--and, do you know, I've got a black mark for not saying my lesson," added the little girl, with a sigh. "And, then, it is my fault," replied Joey; "I'm very sorry." "Oh, never mind; it is the first that I have had for a long while, and I shall tell mamma why. But you are dressed as a sailor-boy--are you going to sea?" "No, I believe not--I hope to have employment in the town here, and then I shall be able to see you sometimes, when you come from school. May I walk with you as far as your own house?" "Yes, I suppose so, if you like it." Joey walked with her until they came to the house, which was about two hundred yards farther. "But," said Joey, hesitating, "you must make me a promise." "What is that?" "You must keep my secret. You must not tell your mother that you saw me first in what you call gentleman's clothes--it might do me harm--and indeed it's not for my own sake I ask it. Don't say a word about my other clothes, or they may ask me questions which I must not answer, for it's not my secret. I told you more this morning than I would have told any one else--I did, indeed." "Well," replied the little girl, after thinking a little, "I suppose I have no right to tell a secret, if I am begged not to do it, so I will say nothing, about your clothes. But I must tell mother that I met you."