as born a soft un."

"Then it's time you grew hard, Sam," said Mrs Jenkles, bending over her
work. "Thirty shillings takes a deal of saving with people like us."

"Yes," said Sam, "it do, 'specially when you has so many bad days to
make up."

"You ought not to have to pay more than twelve shillings a day for that
cab, Sam."

"I told the gov'nor so, and he said as it oughter be eighteen, and
plenty would be glad to get it at that."

Mrs Jenkles tightened her mouth, and shook her head.

"Oh! I say, Sally," said Sam, plaintively, "I've been worried about
that money; and now it was off my mind, I did think as it was all right.
You've reglarly put my pipe out."

Mrs Jenkles rose, took a splint from the chimney-piece, lit it, and
handed it to her husband.

"No," he said, rubbing his ear with the stem of his pipe, "it aint that,
my dear; I meant figgeratively, as old Jones says."

Mrs Jenkles threw the match into the fire, and resumed her work for a
few minutes; then glanced at the clock, and put away her work.

"Yes, Sam, I shall go to Upper Holloway to-morrow, and see what I
think."

"Do, my lass, do," said Sam, drearily. Then, in an undertone, as he
tapped his pipe-bowl on the hob, "Well, it's out now, and no mistake.
Shall we go to bed?"

Volume 1, Chapter VIII.

"OUR NEXT MEETING."

Fin Rea stood gazing down for a few moments, and then said--"No, indeed,
I can't, Mr Mervyn. Pray go."

"Oh, Mr Mervyn," said Tiny, softly, "don't tease her any more."

"It is hard to refuse such a request," said the newcomer; "but, as
trespassers, you must leave me to administer punishment. And, besides,
I owe Miss Fin here a grudge. She has been laughing at me, I hear."

"I'll never do so any more, Mr Mervyn--I won't indeed," cried Fin;
"only let me off this time."

"Jump, you little gipsy, jump," cried Mr Mervyn.

"It's too high--I daren't," cried Fin.

"I have seen you leap down from a place twice as high, my little fawn.
Now, then, jump at once."

Fin looked despairingly round for a few moments, then made a piteous
grimace, and lastly sprang boldly down into the strong arms, which held
her as if she had been a child.

"Now," said Mr Mervyn, "about the mistletoe?"

"Mr Mervyn, pray. Oh, it's too bad. I..."

"Don't be frightened, little one," he said, tenderly, as he retained her
with one hand, to smooth her breeze-blown hair with the other. "There,
come along; let me help you down."

But Fin start