what you might call friends--"

"I am due at Divine service in less than an hour. State your
business," commanded Mr Pamphlett.

"And I am due away, sir, in about that time. Will you look at this
paper?" Nicky-Nan laid on the table a half-sheet of notepaper
scribbled over with figures in pencil. "Look over that, if you
please; or put it off till you come back from Chapel, if you will:
but by that time I shall be gone. You'll find my address in Plymouth
at the foot."

"If you'd kindly explain--"

"Mrs Penhaligon has the money. I've spoke to Dr Mant: who says I can
be put right, an' the operation, with board and lodging, will be
covered by ten pound. I've taken ten pound, as accounted for on the
paper."

Mr Pamphlett picked up the paper, and felt for his pince-nez.

"Still I don't understand."

"No, you wouldn't. I'm _trustin'_ 'ee--that's what it comes to.
I've had a talk with Mr Hambly besides; and he and Dr Mant'll look
after my interests. . . . You see, I _did_ find a hoard o' money in
the Old Doctor's House, an' stuck to it, not knowin' the law. On the
paper, too, you'll see what I've used of it--every penny accounted
for. Mr Hambly says that anyway the law gives me a share far beyond
anything I've used. So I leave it atween 'ee, to see fair play for
me if ever I come back. If I don't, I've left it to the Penhaligon
children; an' Mr Hambly an' Dr Mant'll see fair play for them. . . .
But you understand, sir"--Nicky-Nan dived into his left
trouser-pocket and showed a palmful of coins--"I've taken ten pound,
for the operation an' sundries."

Mr Pamphlett studied the paper for a moment.

"But, my good man--since you say that you have taken Mr Hambly into
your confidence--"

"Well, sir?"

"Oh, well--you will be back, doubtless, in a few days' time; and then
we can talk. This--this is very--er--honest of you."

"It may be. As for bein' back in a few days' time, if the War should
be over in a few days' time you may expect me. I hope it won't.
God forgive me for sayin' so, but I'll be more comfortable
there. . . . Ay, d'ee hear me, Mr Pamphlett? More _comfortable_ than
here amidst women's tongues an' clerkly men's devices, an', what's
worse, even the set-up whisperin' o' children. God forgive 'em an'
forgive _you!_ I'm a Polpier man, an' the last o' my stock; but I'll
come back, if at all, to finish in Polpier with credit."

"This represents a considerable sum of money," said Mr Pamphlet