CHAPTER XL.

TOMMY DUDGEON'S CONTRIBUTION.

After the despatch of the telegram, the words of Tommy Dudgeon, with
reference to the young secretary, recurred once more to the mind of
"Cobbler" Horn, and he mentioned them to his sister.

"This must have been what the good fellow meant," he said. "You remember,
Jemima, how fond they were of each other--Tommy and the child?"

"Yes," responded Miss Jemima, reluctantly; for she still retained her
dislike for "those stupid Dudgeons."

"Do you know, Jemima, I have it on my mind to send for Tommy at once, and
ask him what he really meant."

"Send for him--to come in here?"

"Yes; why not?"

"Well, you must do as you like, I suppose."

A moment's reflection had convinced the good lady that she had really no
sound reason to advance against the proposal her brother had made; and she
knew that, in any case, he would do as he thought fit.

Accordingly a messenger was despatched for Tommy Dudgeon with all speed;
and the little huckster turned over to his brother, without compunction,
an important customer whom he happened to be serving at the time, and
hurried away to the bedside of his honoured friend.

The servant who, in obedience to orders received, showed Tommy up at once
to "Cobbler" Horn's room, handed in at the same time a telegram which had
just arrived from Mr. Burton, saying that he and Mrs. Burton might be
expected about three o'clock in the afternoon. "Cobbler" Horn placed the
pink paper on the little table by his bedside, and turned to Tommy, who
stood just within the doorway, nervously twisting his hat between his
hands.

"Come in, Tommy, come in!" said "the Golden Shoemaker," encouragingly,
"you see I am almost well."

Tommy advanced into the room; but being arrested by the sight of Miss
Jemima, who stood at the bed-foot, he stopped short half-way between the
bed and the door, and honoured that formidable lady with a trembling
bow. Miss Jemima's mood this morning was complacency itself, and she
acknowledged the obeisance of the little huckster with a not ungracious
nod. Greatly encouraged, Tommy moved a pace or two nearer to the bed.

"I'm deeply thankful, Mr. Horn," he said, "to see you looking so well."

"Thank you, Tommy," responded "Cobbler" Horn, with a smile, as he reached
out his hand. "The Lord is very good. No doubt He has more work for me to
do yet."

As Tommy almost reverently took the hand of his beloved and honou