s a straw bonnet trimmed, and some
artificial flowers, lying on a very dusty bit of black velvet. The
window that used to be so bright looked dim, and the brass ledge before
it dull and stained. Altogether there was a dejected appearance about
the place. The door was open, and Jack entered cautiously.

His aunt was sitting behind the counter waiting for customers, who were
slow to come; for the business had very much declined since Mr. Skinner
had taken the command and Mrs. Harrison had left the house.

Mrs. Skinner looked very different from the Miss Pinckney of scarcely a
year ago. She had a dirty, faded look, and her face was pinched and
miserable. When she saw a sailor boy standing by the counter, she rose
and said--

"What for you? Have you brought a message from any one?"

"No, Aunt Pinckney. Don't you know me? Where's my mother?"

Mrs. Skinner was for a moment speechless. Then she raised her shrill
voice--

"Joe! Joe! come here; the young thief is come back."

Mr. Skinner, who was apparently smoking in the back parlour and taking
life easily, now appeared.

"What are you making such a row about? screeching like a poll-parrot!"

Days of courtship and days of matrimony are apt to differ, in cases
like that of Mr. and Mrs. Skinner!

Then, having delivered himself of this polite question, Mr. Skinner
caught sight of Jack.

"You! oh! it's you, is it? Well, the police have been looking for you,
and I'll just give you in charge."

Jack, utterly bewildered, was for the moment speechless. Then he said--

"Hands off! What do you mean? Where's my mother?"

"She is not here; so you needn't think any of her crying and fuss will
avail. I'll give you in charge unless you confess."

"Confess what?" said Jack, wriggling away from Mr. Skinner's grip.
"Hands off, I say! I am not going to run away. What am I to confess?"

"Take him into the back parlour, Joe. You'll have the neighbours
coming in: take him out of the shop."

"Hold your tongue!" was the rejoinder. "I shall do as I choose."

"Let me go and call Mr. Boyd," Jack said. "He will tell me where my
mother is. Let him be a witness of what you say, and what charge you
have against me."

Jack now looked across the row for the first time, and saw a young man
standing at the door of the little stuffy shop, which, unlike its
opposite neighbour, had grown smarter, and had a lot of ships' lanterns
hanging over the door, and showy aneroids a