ittle cough, and he ses, "I thought
Bill was doing well?" he ses.

[Illustration: "Silas was very perlite at fust."]

"So he is," ses Mrs. Burtenshaw.

Silas Winch coughed again.

"I suppose he likes room to stretch 'imself about in?" he ses, looking
round.

Mrs. Burtenshaw wiped 'er eyes and then, knowing 'ow Silas had been an
old friend o' Bill's, she drew 'er chair a bit closer and told him 'ow it
was. "A better 'usband, when he's sober, you couldn't wish to see," she
ses, wiping her eyes agin. "He'd give me anything--if he 'ad it."

Silas's face got longer than ever. "As a matter o' fact," he ses, "I'm a
bit down on my luck, and I called round with the 'ope that Bill could
lend me a bit, just till I can pull round."

Mrs. Burtenshaw shook her 'ead.

"Well, I s'pose I can stay and see 'im?" ses Silas. "Me and 'im used to
be great pals at one time, and many's the good turn I've done him. Wot
time'll he be 'ome?"

"Any time after twelve," ses Mrs. Burtenshaw; "but you'd better not be
here then. You see, 'im being in that condition, he might think you was
your own ghost come according to promise and be frightened out of 'is
life. He's often talked about it."

Silas Winch scratched his head and looked at 'er thoughtful-like.

"Why shouldn't he mistake me for a ghost?" he ses at last; "the shock
might do 'im good. And, if you come to that, why shouldn't I pretend to
be my own ghost and warn 'im off the drink?"

Mrs. Burtenshaw got so excited at the idea she couldn't 'ardly speak, but
at last, arter saying over and over agin she wouldn't do such a thing for
worlds, she and Silas arranged that he should come in at about three
o'clock in the morning and give Bill a solemn warning. She gave 'im her
key, and Silas said he'd come in with his 'air and cap all wet and
pretend he'd been drowned.

"It's very kind of you to take all this trouble for nothing," ses Mrs.
Burtenshaw as Silas got up to go.

"Don't mention it," ses Silas. "It ain't the fust time, and I don't
suppose it'll be the last, that I've put myself out to help my feller-
creeturs. We all ought to do wot we can for each other."

"Mind, if he finds it out," ses Mrs. Burtenshaw, all of a tremble, "I
don't know nothing about it. P'r'aps to make it more life-like I'd
better pretend not to see you."

"P'r'aps it would be better," ses Silas, stopping at the street door.
"All I ask is that you'll 'ide the poker and anything else that might b