were there no pigs to keep, but he said there weren't any in
London, and he was there, and for six months, he told me, he had been
'on the tramp'; that's what he called it. I asked him what that meant,
and he said just walking on every day to no place particular. And he
said something about going to the bad, which I couldn't quite
understand. Then I asked him why he didn't go back to God, and he said
he had been a good boy once, when he went to Sunday-school, and he had a
very good uncle who kept a baker's shop in London, and who wanted him to
go and live with him, but he wouldn't, because he was too good for him.
And I asked him why he wouldn't go to him now, and he said he couldn't
tramp back again to London, it was too far, and he had no money. So
then I opened my purse, and we counted over my money together, and he
said it was just enough to take him back, if I would lend it to him. So,
of course, I did, and he asked me my name and where I lived, and I told
him."

"The scoundrel!" muttered Sir Edward.

Milly paused. "Why are you looking so angry, uncle? I was so glad to
give him the money; and then we talked a good deal, and I begged him not
to be one of God's probable sons any more. Fancy! He wouldn't believe
God loved him, and he wouldn't believe that God wanted him back! I told
him I should be quite frightened to get away from God, and he--well, he
almost didn't seem to care; he said no one cared what came of him,
whether he was hung, dead, or not; and I told him no one cared for me
much except nurse, but God did. I feel He loves me, and I know He loves
Jack just the same; doesn't He, uncle?"

"And when did nurse find you?" inquired Sir Edward, evading this
question.

Milly's little face, which had been gradually brightening with the
interest of her story, now clouded over again, and she hung her head.

"She was fearful angry with me. She was quite hot and red, and she
snatched me away, and said that Jack was a thief and--and a vagbag, or
something like that. She scolded me all the way home, and I don't think
she will ever love me again. She said it was just a chance she found me,
and if she hadn't come along that lane I should have been lost forever!
And she was angry most of all because I shook hands with Jack and wished
him good-bye. I don't think nurse would run and meet a probable son if
she had one; she thinks all ragged people are wicked. But I'm--I'm
dreadful sorry I was disobedient. Do you think I