ok after you while I'm at the office. He's
the only person I could think of."

"Billy and I are very good friends," I said, somewhat taken aback,
however, by the prospect of being consigned to that young gentleman's
charge for several hours every day.

"Here you are, Billy," said Jack, as the boy entered. "You needn't have
brought your blacking-box with you, though."

"What, ain't none of the blokes here got no boots, then?" remarked the
youth, depositing his burden.

"The bloke, as you call him, who lies there," said Jack, pointing to me,
"won't be putting on his boots for a good many days yet."

Billy approached my bed with his most profuse grin.

"I say, ain't you been and done it? Do you hear? you've broke your
arm!"

This piece of news being so remarkably unexpected visibly affected me.

"Yes," said Jack, "and I want you to sit here while I'm away, and see
nobody breaks it again."

"I'll give the fust bloke that tries it on a topper, so I will," said
Billy, fiercely, sitting down on his box and preparing to mount guard.

"I quite believe you," said Jack, laughing. "But mind, Billy, you
mustn't make a noise or disturb him when he's resting. And if anything
special happens and I'm badly wanted, you must run to my office and
fetch me. You know where it is?"

"Yaas, I know," said Billy.

"If Mr Smith comes up, you may let him in and make yourself scarce till
he goes away again."

"What Mr Smith?" I asked.

"Oh, my fellow-lodger. Isn't it funny his name's Smith? At least,
wouldn't it be funny if every other person weren't called Smith?"

"It is rather a large family," said I, laughing.

Billy having received his full instructions, including the serving of
certain provisions out of a cupboard in a corner of the room, made
himself comfortable on his perch, and sat eyeing me, after Jack had
gone, as if I were a criminal of some sort whom it was his duty to
prevent from escaping.

It was a queer situation to be in, certainly. Left alone in a friend's
lodging with a broken arm and other contusions, and a small shoeblack to
look after me, who had once robbed me of my penknife and a sixpence!

I was rather doubtful whether his new employment was quite as congenial
to him as his old. Indeed, I rather pitied him as he sat there silent
and motionless like a watch-dog on guard.

"You may stand on your hands if you like, Billy," I said, presently.

He eyed me sharply and doubtfully.

"You're 'a