s Philp's suggestion, as I
heard. They found a cake of Monkey Brand in the ship's fo'c'sle, and by
the time Doctor Higgs arrived with his stomach-pump--"

"They'd sent for _him?_ What, for two pounds?"

"Less two-an'-nine, by this--as they thought. But, of course, there was
the child's health to be considered . . . I ought to mention that before
Dr Higgs came Captain Hunken remembered how he'd treated a seaman once,
that had swallowed carbolic by mistake. He recommended tar: but there
wasn't any tar to be found--which seems strange, aboard a ship."

"It was lucky, anyhow."

"There was a plenty of hard pitch about, and one or two reckoned the
marine glue in the deck-seams might be a passable substitute. They were
diggin' some out with their penknives when Doctor Higgs arrived with his
pump."

"And did he use it?"

"He did not. He asked what First Aid they had been applyin', an' when
they told him, his language was not to be repeated. 'D'ye think,' said
he, 'as I'd finish the child for--'well, he named the balance, whatever
'twas."

"One-seventeen-three," said the voice from the bed.

"That's so. And 'Monkey Brand?' says he. 'Why, you've scoured his
little stummick so, you might put it on the chimbly-piece and see your
face in it! Fit an' wrap what's left of him in a blanket,' says Doctor
Higgs; 'an' take him home an' put him to bed,' says he--which they done
so," concluded Mrs Bowldler, "an' if you'll believe it, when I come to
put him to bed an' fold his trowsers across the chair, out trickles the
two sufferins!"

"You don't say!"

"He's been absent-minded of late. It they'd only turned his pockets out
instead of--well, we won't go into details: but the two pounds was there
all the time. 'Twas the petty cash he'd swallowed, in the shock at
hearin' about Mr Rogers. . . . And how's _he_, by the way?"

"Bad," answered Fancy, "dreadful bad. I don't think he's goin' to die,
not just yet-awhile: but he can't speak, and his mind's troubled."

"Reason enough why, if all's truth that they tell of him."

"But it isn't."

"He brought your own father to beggary."

"Well, you may put it that way if you choose. It's the way they all put
it that felt for Dad without allowin' their feelin's to take 'em
further. Not that he'd any claim to more'n their pity. He speckilated
with Mr Rogers, and Mr Rogers did him in the eye, that's all. And I'm
very fond of Dad," continued the wise child; "but the longer