d 'ad a bad father, Sam
would 'ave know what to be thankful for."

"I'm thankful 'e's gone," burst out Sam, with sudden anger. "I asks
you, 'ow's a cove to get on when he's 'itched up to a father wot's
done time? Why, old Greenum gave me a shillin' a week less than 'e
ought, cos why, 'e knew I couldn't 'old out with a father like that,"
and he eyed his mother wrathfully.

"A better 'usband no woman 'ad," sobbed Mrs. Sartin. "When 'e came out
'e didn't seem to get no chance and so...."

"Is he in London?" asked Christopher, nervously gulping down some
tea.

"No--sloped," said Sam, shortly, "cribbed some other chap's papers I
guess--went abroad--we don't know--don't want to, either."

The fierce hostility and resentment in the boy's voice made it clear
to Christopher this was evidently a subject better dropped. He seized
the chance of directing Jessie's attention to Master Jim Sartin, who
was brandishing the bread-knife, and plunged hastily into a
description of the doings of Charlotte and Max. Mrs. Sartin accepted
the diversion, but kept an anxious eye on Sam, who ate hard and seemed
to recover some of his ordinary composure with each mouthful, much to
Christopher's amazement. By the time tea was finished he was himself
again. There was no lingering then. He went back to work. Christopher
said he must go too, and bade the family good-bye. The farewell was as
cordial as the welcome had been cold and he clattered downstairs after
Sam with many promises to come again.

The two boys talked freely of the passing world as they went through
the streets, in the purely impersonal way of their age, and it was
with great diffidence and much hesitation Christopher managed to hint
he'd like to buy something for the kiddies.

Sam grinned.

"Sweets," he suggested. "They eat 'em up and leave no mess about."

Christopher turned out his pockets. There was an unbroken ten
shillings, three shillings and some coppers.

They walked on a while gravely and came to a stand before a
confectioner's window.

"Cake," suggested Sam, with one eye on his companion and one on the
show of food within.

"A sugar one?"

"They cost a lot," said Sam shaking his head, but he followed
Christopher inside. Christopher boldly demanded the price of a small
wedding cake elaborately iced. It was five shillings.

He put down the money with a lofty air and desired them to send it
without loss of time to Mrs. Sartin's address.

The woman stared a l