strong buffer in this respect,
receiving and neutralising many a severe blow from his irrepressible
feet and fists. Bob Marrot was also there with his bosom friend Tomtit
Dorkin, whose sole occupation in life up to that time had been to put
screws on nuts; this must have been "nuts" to him, as the Yankees have
it, because, being a diligent little fellow, he managed to screw himself
through life at the Clatterby Works to the tune of twelve shillings a
week. Joseph Tipps, having got leave of absence for an evening, was
also there,--modest amiable, active and self-abnegating. So was Mrs
Natly, who, in consideration of her delicate health, was taken great
care of, and very much made of, by Mrs Tipps and her family--
conspicuously by Mrs Durby, who had become very fond of her since the
night she nursed her. Indeed there is little doubt that Mrs Durby and
the bottle of wine were the turning-point of Mrs Natly's illness, and
that but for them, poor Sam would have been a widower by that time. Mr
Able, the director, was also there, bland and beaming, with a brother
director who was anything but bland or beaming, being possessed of a
grave, massive, strongly marked and stern countenance; but nevertheless,
owning a similar spirit and a heart which beat high with philanthropic
desires and designs--though few who came in contact with him, except his
intimate friends, would believe it. There were also present an elderly
clergyman and a young curate--both good, earnest men, but each very
different in many respects from the other. The elder clergyman had a
genial, hearty countenance and manner, and he dressed very much like
other gentlemen. The young curate might have breakfasted on his poker,
to judge from the stiffness of his back, and appeared to be afraid of
suffering from cold in the knees and chest, to judge from the length of
his surtout and the height of his plain buttonless vest.

When all were assembled on the green and the viands spread, the elder
clergyman gave out a hymn; and the curate, who had a capital voice, led
off, but he was speedily drowned by the gush of song that rose from the
children's lips. It was a lively hymn, and they evidently rejoiced to
sing it. Then the elder clergyman made the children a short speech. It
was amazingly brief, insomuch that it quite took the little ones by
surprise--so short was it, indeed and so much to the point, that we will
venture to set it down here.

"Dear children,"