"So you can; and as soon as William comes in, which he will soon, from the washerwoman's, we will go out and order them. Here he comes up the stairs--no, that foot's too light for his. Well, it's Nancy, I declare! Why, Nancy, now," continued Mrs Chopper, in a deprecating tone, "what do you want here?" "Well, I leave you to guess," replied Nancy, looking very demurely, and taking a seat upon a hamper. "Guess, I fear there's no guess in it, Nancy; but I will not--now it's no use--I will not trust another shilling." "But I know you will, Mrs Chopper. Lord love you, you're such a good-natured creature, you can't refuse any one, and certainly not me. Why don't you take me in your boat with you as your assistant? then there would be something in it worth looking at. I should bring you plenty of custom." "You're too wild, Nancy; too wild, girl. But, now, what do you want? recollect you've already had some things to-day." "I know I have, and you are a good-natured old trump, that you are. Now I'll tell you--gold must pass between us this time." "Mercy on me, Nancy, why you're mad. I've no gold--nothing but bad debts." "Look you, Mrs Chopper, look at this shabby old bonnet of mine. Don't I want a new one?" "Then you must get somebody else to give you money, Nancy," replied Mrs Chopper, coolly and decidedly. "Don't talk so fast, Mrs Chopper: now, I'll let you know how it is. When Bill came on board he asked the captain for an advance; the captain refused him before, but this time he was in a good humour, and he consented. So then I coaxed Bill out of a sovereign to buy a new bonnet, and he gave it me; and then I thought what a kind soul you were, and I resolved that I would bring you the sovereign, and go without the new bonnet; so here it is, take it quick, or I shall repent." "Well, Nancy," said Mrs Chopper, "you said right; gold has passed between us, and I am surprised. Now I shall trust you again." "And so you ought; it's not every pretty girl, like me, who will give up a new bonnet. Only look what a rubbishy affair this is," continued Nancy, giving her own a kick up in the air. "I wish I had a sovereign to give away," said Joey to Mrs Chopper; "I wish I had not said a word about the clothes." "Do as you like with your own money, my dear," said the bumboat-woman. "Then, Nancy, I'll give you a sovereign to buy yourself a new bonnet with," said Joey, taking one out of his pocket and putting into her hand. Nancy looked at the sovereign, and then at Joey. "Bless the boy!" said she, at last, kissing him on the forehead; "he has a kind heart; may the world use him better than it has me! Here, take your sovereign, child; any bonnet's good enough for one like me." So saying, Nancy turned hastily away, and ran downstairs. CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. IN WHICH MRS. CHOPPER READS HER LEDGER.