gging a toy train at his heels.

"Get upstairs at once, Ray," said Jonah, without looking round.

The child, puffing and snorting like an engine, took no notice of the
command.

"Did yez 'ear me speak?" cried Jonah, angrily.

The child laughed, and stopped with his train in front of the customer,
staring at her with unabashed eyes.

"What a pretty boy!" said the young woman. "Won't you tell me your
name?"

"My name's Ray Jones, and I'll make old bones," he cried, with the
glibness of a parrot.

The young woman laughed, and Jonah's face changed instantly. It wore
the adoring gaze of the fond parent, who thinks his child is a marvel
and a prodigy.

"Tell the lady 'ow old yer are," he said.

"I'm seven and a bit old-fashioned," cried the child, looking into the
customer's face for the amused look that always followed the words. The
young woman smiled pleasantly as she laced her shoe.

"'E's as sharp as a needle," said Jonah, with a proud look, "but I
'aven't put 'im to school yet, 'cause 'e'll get enough schooling later
on. But I'll 'ave ter do somethin' with 'im soon; 'e's up ter 'is neck
in mischief. I wish 'e was old enough ter learn the piano. 'E's got a
wonderful ear fer music."

"But he is old enough," said the young woman with a sudden interest. "I
have two pupils the same age as he."

"Ah?" said Jonah, inquiringly.

"I am a teacher of music," continued the young woman, "and in my
opinion, they can't start too early, if they have any gift."

"An' 'ow would yer judge that?" said Jonah, delighted at the turn of
the conversation.

"I generally go by the width of the forehead at the temples.
Phrenologists always look for that, and I have never found it fail.
Come here," she said to the child, in a sharp, businesslike tone. She
passed her hand over his forehead, and pointed out to Jonah a fullness
over the corner of the eye. "That is the bump of music. You have it
yourself," she said, suddenly looking at Jonah's face. "I'm sure
you're fond of music. Do you sing or play?"

"I can do a bit with the mouth-organ," said Jonah, off his guard. He
turned red with shame at this vulgar admission but the young woman only
smiled.

"Well, about the boy," said Jonah, anxious to change the subject, "I'd
like yer to take 'im in 'and, if yer could make anythin' of 'im."

"I should be very pleased," said the young woman.

"Very well, we'll talk it over on Thursday, when yer come fer yer
shoes," said Jo