pounds of his own--to get the little dogs with, and many another luxury besides, and pay up his subscriptions to his clubs, which were always in arrears, and maybe treat some of the lads to a dinner without having to account for every penny? But he had let it be taken from him, and farewell to the doggies and everything else that was pleasant. Oh what a fool he was, what a fool! He went up to his room, and tumbled as he was upon his bed, in his best clothes, though he was hungry, and smelt the supper, and wanted it, with all his vigorous young appetite. Happily for Archie, in this painful complication of circumstances, it was not very long before he fell asleep. Next morning Mrs. Brown received Rowland in the parlour above. “I am wanting to speak to you, Jims,” she said, “you’re no used to the charge of young folk, and I maun speak out my mind. Ye mayna take it well of me, but at any rate I will have delivered my soul.” “Well,” said Rowland, “I hope that will be for your comfort, however little it may be for mine.” “It will be for baith our goods, if ye will take my advice. Jims, what was that you threw at Archie last night before you went away?” “Did I throw it at him? That was a curious thing to do; but I don’t suppose it was intentional on my part.” “What was it, Jims? Answer me that.” “And may I ask what it matters to you, whatever it was?” “It matters a great deal to me. I have been like a mother to him, and I’ll no have the laddie to be led away. I know very well what it was. It was an English note, and I’ve got it here. Eh, Jims Rowland, knowing the world as ye must know it, how daur ye put the means of evil in that boy’s innocent hands!” “This is very strange,” said Rowland, “to be brought to book because I give my son a little money.” “Do ye ca’ twenty pounds a little money! My patience! a sma’ fortune,” said Mrs. Brown. “My dear Jane, this is one of the things, unfortunately, that we have made a great mistake about. My boy should have been accustomed to a little freedom, a little money of his own. It is all very unfortunate. He will be plunged into spending money when he is quite unacquainted with the use of it. It is the very worst thing.” “And that’s a’ my faut ye’ll be thinking,” said Jane, grimly. “I don’t say it is your fault. It is my fault as much as yours. I thought of securing them kindness and motherly care. I should have remembered there was something more necessary. You have been very kind to them, Jane.” “Kind!” the good woman flushed with a high angry colour; “Kind! that’s a bonny word to use to me. A stranger’s kind that says a pleasant word. The first person in the street that’s taken with their winnin’ ways is kind, if you please. But me! that has given them a’ the love of my heart, that has been a mother to them and mair----!” “I beg your pardon,” said Rowland, “I am very much obliged to you: I know you have been all that.”