nd. His thumb happened to touch the spring on the handle, and
instantly there came a low melodious note from inside the repeater--One,
two, three, and then a double tinkle twice repeated.

"That's striking," observed Jim, who was occasionally guilty of a pun.
"Why, it's a repeater!"

"So it is! Did you ever know such a brick as that uncle of mine?"

"It's a pity your people can't think of anything else but watches for
presents. Why, what a donkey you made of yourself about that silver
turnip when you first had it! Don't you remember? What's to become of
it, by the by?"

"How do I know? I say, Jim, this one wasn't got for nothing." And then
the boys together investigated the wonders of the new watch, peeping at
its works and making it strike, till I was quite sick of hearing it.
But then I was jealous. There was no more Cicero for Charlie that day.
He was almost as ridiculous, though not so rough, with his new treasure
as he had been with me. He turned me out of my pocket to make room for
it; and then half a dozen times a minute pulled it out and gloated over
it. At night he put us both under his pillow, little dreaming of the
sorrow and disappointment that filled my breast.

Where were all the old days now? Who would admire or value _me_, a
poor, commonplace silver drudge, now that this grand, showy rival had
come and taken my place? In my anger and excitement my heart beat fast
and loud, so loud that presently I heard a voice beside me saying,--

"Gently, there, if you please; no one can hear himself speak with that
noise."

"I've more right to be here than you," I growled.

"That is as our mutual master decides; but surely I have heard your
voice before! Let me look at you."

And he edged himself up, so as to get a peep at my shabby face.

"To be sure--my young friend the three-guinea silver watch? How do you
do, my little man?"

This patronage was intolerable, and I had no words to reply.

"Ah! you find it difficult to converse. You must indeed be almost worn
out after the work you have had. I am indeed astonished to see you
alive at all. I am sure, in my master's name, I may be allowed to thank
you for your praiseworthy exertions in his service. We are both much
obliged to you, and hope we shall show ourselves not unmindful of
your--"

"Brute!" was all I could shriek, so mad was I, Whether my rival would
have pursued his discourse I cannot say, but at that instant a hand came
fumbli