"

"Know you, Bindle, my boy? There's not a fellow in Tim's that doesn't
know and love you. A toast, you fellows," he cried.

Little seized a glass half-full of whisky-and-soda. "A toast," he
cried, "to Bindle the Incomparable, rival of Aristophanes as a maker of
mirth."

Cries of "Bindle! Bindle!" echoed from all parts of the smoke-dimmed
room, and again there broke out what Dick Little called "the National
Anthem of Good Fellowship," followed by calls for a speech.

Before he knew it Bindle was hoisted upon the table, where he stood
gazing down upon some eight or ten flushed faces.

"Gentlemen, chair, please." Little rapped a glass on the table.
Silence ensued. "Now, Aristophanes," to Bindle.

"Bindle, sir, plain Joe Bindle, _if_ you please." Then turning to the
expectant faces round him Bindle began his first speech.

"Gentlemen--leastways, I 'ope so. You all seem to know me, and
likewise to be very fond o' me; well, p'r'aps I might become fond o'
you if I don't get to know too much about yer 'abits. I'm sorry to
break up this 'ere prayer-meetin', but I come to 'ave a word with Mr.
Little." (Cries of "Have it with us.") "Very well, then," continued
Bindle. "I got a brother-in-law, 'Earty by name." (There were cries
of "Good old Hearty!") "Seem to know 'im too. P'r'aps yer sings in
the choir at 'is chapel. Any'ow, 'Earty's been prayin' for me to-night
at 'is chapel, an' I come to arst Mr. Little wot I'd better do."

Bindle's announcement caused a sensation and something of an uproar.
His voice was drowned in cries of "Shame!"

"Just a moment, gentlemen, and I've done. 'E called me 'a brother
fallen by the wayside, a wheat-ear among thorns.'"

Yells of laughter followed this announcement, and Bindle was pulled
down and drink forced upon him. Soon he was sitting in the most
comfortable armchair in the room, smoking a colossal cigar, with a
large kitchen jug full of beer at his elbow. He saw before him nearly
a dozen of the most riotous spirits in London listening with eager
interest to his stories and opinions, which they punctuated with gusts
of laughter. The night was far advanced when at length he rose to go.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, "I never thought that doctors was such
sports. Now I understand why it is that the ladies is always gettin'
ill. S' long, and thanks for this friendly little evenin'. If I've
talked too much you jest come and 'ear Mrs. Bindle one evenin' and
yer'll