"Jest you tell me, ma'am, where was he baptised, and by what name?" said her visitor. A look of doubt and fear came slowly and wildly into her face as she looked at him. "Who is he--I've been speaking to you, sir?" "Oh! yesh, mo-o-st _beautiful_, you 'av, ma'am," answered he; "and I am your son's best friend--and yours, ma'am; only you tell me where to find him, and he'sh a made man, for all his dayzh." "Where has he come from?--a stranger," she murmured. "I _told_ you, ma'am." "I don't know you, sir; I don't know your name," she dreamed on. "Benjamin Levi. I'll _spell_ it for you, if you like," he answered, beginning to grow testy. "I told you my name, and showed you my ca-a-ard. Bah! it ravels at one end, as fast as it knits at the other." And again he held the card of the firm of Goldshed and Levi, with his elbows on the table, between the fingers of his right and left hand, bowed out like an old-fashioned shopboard, and looking as if it would spring out elastically into her face. "_There_, ma'am, that'sh the ticket!" said he, eyeing her over it. "Once, sir, I spoke of business to a stranger, and I was always sorry; I did mischief," said the old woman, with a vague remorsefulness. "I'm _no_ stranger, ma'am, begging your pardon," he replied, insolently; "you don't half know what you're saying, I do think. Goldshed and Levi--not know us; sich precious rot, I _never_!" "I did mischief, sir." "I only want to know where to find your son, ma'am, if you know, and if you won't tell, you _ruin_ that poor young man. It aint a pound to me, but it'sh a deal to him," answered the good-natured Mr. Levi. "I'm very sorry, sir, but I once did mischief by speaking to a gentleman whom I didn't know. Lady Verney made me promise, and I'm sure she was right, never to speak about business without first consulting some member of her family. I don't understand business--never did," pleaded she. "Well, here's a go! not understaan'? Why, there's _nothing_ to understaan'. It isn't business. S-O-N," he spelt "_son_. H-U-S-B-A-N-D--_uzbaan_' that aint business--da-a-m me! _Where's_ the business? Ba-ah!" "Sir," said the old lady, drawing herself up, "I've answered you. It was about my husband--God help me--I spoke before, and did mischief without knowing it. I won't speak of him to strangers, except as Lady Verney advises--to any stranger--especially to you, sir." There was a sound of steps outside, which, perhaps, modified the answer of Mr. Levi. He was very much chagrined, and his great black eyes looked very wickedly upon her helpless face.