his cap and the other held
where he thought his heart might be, felt a thrill of sympathy.

"Lady," he said softly, "I await your command."

And still she did not speak. Then William, true knight, threw down his
cap, placed a chair for her, carefully laid her parasol on his desk,
and waited.

Presently, "Boy," she said gently, "where did you learn that?"

"I read it somewhere," he said, "some of it, and I guess I just made up
the rest. I can't help it, lady. I often have them kinder spells."

She was looking at him thoughtfully, and William blushed under her
scrutiny.

"Don't be ashamed, boy," she said. "'Them kinder spells'"--and she
mimicked him so well that William laughed outright, "will carry you a
long way some day. You may sit down."

William sat, and thereupon Dick, his mistress having loosened her hold
upon the chain, ambled over and placed his solemn-faced visage as close
to the boy's knees as he could get it. William lifted the dog which
snuggled close to his breast.

"If Dick likes you there must be some good in you," said the lady: and
her voice was again sharp and firm. "Where's Whimple?"

"He'll be here soon, I expect."

"Umph! Poking around the law courts I suppose. He's never been here
when I want him."

"Mister Whimple is a busy man," said William loyally.

"Don't lie to me," was the sharp rejoinder, "I'm a Whimple. Miss
Elizabeth Whimple, if you want to know, and I'm his aunt. He would be
a fool and enter law against my advice, and I hope he'll starve for it."

William's eyes narrowed. "Did you ever try starving, Miss Whimple?" he
demanded.

"Heavens, no!--what would I want to try that for?"

"Well, I'm glad if you never have to," was the answer. "My Dad came
near to it sometimes before he got onter his feet, and I ain't very old
myself, but I've seen the day I'd walked a long way to get my teeth
into a piece of beef-steak."

"I don't believe you."

"Well, of course, you don't have to," said William calmly. "That's a
funny thing about grown-ups. They'll believe any old lie if it's in
print, but the minute anybody tells 'em the truth straight outen his
heart, they don't----"

"Boy," she interrupted sharply, "don't preach to me!"

"Preach! me preach!"

"Yes; you may not call it that, but it's preaching just the same. Now,
where's Whimple?"

"Honest, lady, I don't know. He----"

And here Whimple entered by the back door. For collectors were
beginning at th