g out the word `Mary,' but I checked myself in time, and said
`lady' instead. The tears came to my eyes, and my voice was as husky as
a bear's. She thought it was all from gratitude for her unexpected
gift, and that I wasn't accustomed to receive so much. To be sure, she
did look at me rather curiously, and, as I was going away, on turning my
head I saw that she was still standing on the doorsteps watching me.

"I stopped about the neighbourhood for better than a fortnight, for I
could not tear myself away; it was a pleasure to get a sight of Mary
driving about in her carriage with her little girls, and her fine boys
on ponies trotting alongside. She was happily married, I found, to a
man of good fortune.

"While I was putting up at `The Plough,' which I had known well in my
youth, I heard a number of things about the neighbouring families, for I
was curious to learn what had become of all the people I had known.
There were not many of those who frequented the house who could read,
and there was no newspapers taken in, and that is how I did not come to
hear about the _Royal George_ till some time afterwards. It strikes me,
though I may be wrong, that by a wonderful chance I got hold of
something which has to do with this fine lad here, who you have been
looking after. I will think the matter over, and try and rake up what I
have heard; but I don't want to disappoint you, and I may be altogether
wrong."

I was naturally curious, and tried to get more out of Jerry, but he
would not say a word beyond repeating over again that he might be
altogether out of his reckoning. I of course begged him to stop with
us, promising him board and lodging as long as he liked to stay; for, as
he was in no ways particular, I could easily manage to put him up. He
thanked me heartily, and said he would stop a night or two at all
events. In the evening he went back with me to the inn to get his
traps, for he travelled with a sort of knapsack, which he left behind
him when he went out for his day's excursions.

The next morning he had a wash and shave, and turned out neat and trim,
with a clean shirt and trousers, and altogether looked a different sort
of person to what he had been the day before.

"You see, Ben, I have given up drinking, and like to keep a best suit of
toggery, and to go to church on a Sunday in a decent fashion, which I
used not to care about once upon a time. It's little respect that I can
pay to the day, but