"Only at you," I said, laughing outright, for we were now, when at his house, on the most familiar terms. "And why?" he said, half amused, half annoyed. "I was thinking of what you so often say to me when I am discouraged and can't get on." "What do you mean?" "`Never say die!'" I replied, laughing. "I know you'll try again, and again, till you get the thing right and make it go." "Should you?" he said, looking at me curiously. "Of course I would," I cried, with my cheeks flushing. "I never would give up with a puzzle at home, and this is only a big puzzle. It seems, too, as if we always get a little bit nearer to success." "Yes," he said, nipping his lips together; "that's what makes it so enticing. It seems to lure me on and on, like a will-o'-the-wisp in a marsh. You're right, Antony, my lad; never say die! I must and will succeed." "Hurray!" I cried, pretending to throw up my cap. "Success to Hallett's great invention! Patent, of course?" "Yes," he said, with a sigh; "but where is the money to come from for the patent?" "Suppose we finish it first," I said, laughing. "Right, my young wisepate," he cried; "but, good heavens! it's eleven o'clock. Come, sir, pack off home to your lodging." "Why, I thought we were to set the model going to-night?" I said, in a disappointed tone. "Yes, I did mean it," he said, fitting a couple of cog-wheels one into the other. "But it is too late now." "Let's try for another hour," I said eagerly. "No, no, my boy. I don't like you to be out so late. Mr Revitts will be annoyed." "He's away on duty," I said. "Just another hour, and then you can walk part of the way home with me." "Well, just an hour," he said, with his pale face flushing with pleasure; and we set to at once, he fitting together, while I polished and oiled wheels and spindles, and handed them and the various screws to him to fit in their places. The model was as intricate as a clock, and there were endless little difficulties to combat; but there was something so fascinating in the task as the bright brass wheels were placed in order, and it begat such an intense longing to see it in motion, executing in miniature the great desire of Hallett's life, that we forgot all about time, and kept steadily on till there were only a few screws to insert and nuts to tighten, and the task would be done. Hallett looked up at me as he re-trimmed the lamp by which we worked, and I across the table at him, laughing at his puzzled face, for we had unconsciously been at work over three hours, and it was past two. "This is dreadful, Antony," he exclaimed, with a comical look of chagrin on his face. "I seem fated to lead you into all sorts of dissipation. What are we to do? I cannot let you go home so late as this. You must lie down here." "I'm not a bit sleepy," I said, "but I am hungry."