try what happens?'

Curly gazed up at the ceiling reflectively. 'I takes my holiday. On
occasions I brings up hivy, and berries, and 'olly, and hawks 'em round
nex' day 'stead of horinges.'

'I'd like to be you,' said Bobby admiringly. 'Have you got a father?'

'No, 'e was dead afore I were twelve months old.'

'I've got two fathers,' said Bobby proudly, 'and I especks you have one
same as me. God is my Father. Isn't He yours?'

Curly gave a kind of snort.

'That's Sunday-school jaw!'

'It isn't jaw,' said Bobby, gazing at him solemnly. 'It's quite true;
and God looks after everybodies who's in His family. And if a boy
hasn't any father, God is 'ticularly kind to him to make up for it.
Once my father was far away, and God was ever so kind to me. I used to
feel He was. He never goes away, so you can always have Him to talk
to.'

Margot came downstairs at this juncture and put a parcel into Curly's
hand.

'There, my lad, that's for helping Master Bobby. And now run off, for
I'm sure our landlady wouldn't like to see you here.'

'Stop!' cried True, coming up the kitchen stairs; 'see what I've got
for him! It's scalding hot!'

She was carrying very carefully, in both hands, a cup of cocoa, and
Curly's eyes lit up at the sight of it.

'And a piece of cake,' she added, producing a slice from her pocket.

Curly took the cup from her with a gruff 'thank 'ee.' He made short
work of both cocoa and cake, then took his parcel and made for the door.

Bobby laid his hand on his coat-sleeve.

'You've saved Nobbles' life,' he said, 'and I shan't never, never
forget it.'

Curly grinned and departed.

'They've no manners, those street boys,' said Margot; 'but it was a
kind thing to do for you, Master Bobby.'

'He's going to be one of my friends,' said Bobby firmly; 'and I shall
go and see him to-morrow at his crossing.'

He accomplished this, for he persuaded Miss Robsart to go with them.
She very often took them for a short walk if Margot was busy, and she
became interested in the boy at once.

'I have a class of rather ragged boys on Sunday,' she said; 'and if he
doesn't go anywhere I will get him to come to me.'

It was rather a muddy day, and Curly was hard at work with his broom
when they caught sight of him. He grinned when they came up, and first
pretended to be too busy to speak to them; but presently he paused for
breath, and stood resting on his broom. Bobby insisted on shaking
hands wi