amond, who
was in a great hurry, was out of the mews, and almost out of the street.
She called "Diamond! Diamond!" but there was no answer except from Jack.

"Never fear for him, ma'am," said Jack. "It 'ud be only a devil as would
hurt him, and there ain't so many o' them as some folk 'ud have you
believe. A boy o' Diamond's size as can 'arness a 'oss t'other Diamond's
size, and put him to, right as a trivet--if he do upset the keb--'ll
fall on his feet, ma'am."

"But he won't upset the cab, will he, Jack?"

"Not he, ma'am. Leastways he won't go for to do it."

"I know as much as that myself. What do you mean?"

"I mean he's a little likely to do it as the oldest man in the stable.
How's the gov'nor to-day, ma'am?"

"A good deal better, thank you," she answered, closing the window in
some fear lest her husband should have been made anxious by the news
of Diamond's expedition. He knew pretty well, however, what his boy
was capable of, and although not quite easy was less anxious than
his mother. But as the evening drew on, the anxiety of both of them
increased, and every sound of wheels made his father raise himself in
his bed, and his mother peep out of the window.

Diamond had resolved to go straight to the cab-stand where he was best
known, and never to crawl for fear of getting annoyed by idlers. Before
he got across Oxford Street, however, he was hailed by a man who wanted
to catch a train, and was in too great a hurry to think about the
driver. Having carried him to King's Cross in good time, and got a good
fare in return, he set off again in great spirits, and reached the stand
in safety. He was the first there after all.

As the men arrived they all greeted him kindly, and inquired after his
father.

"Ain't you afraid of the old 'oss running away with you?" asked one.

"No, he wouldn't run away with me," answered Diamond. "He knows I'm
getting the shillings for father. Or if he did he would only run home."

"Well, you're a plucky one, for all your girl's looks!" said the man;
"and I wish ye luck."

"Thank you, sir," said Diamond. "I'll do what I can. I came to the old
place, you see, because I knew you would let me have my turn here."

In the course of the day one man did try to cut him out, but he was a
stranger; and the shout the rest of them raised let him see it would not
do, and made him so far ashamed besides, that he went away crawling.

Once, in a block, a policeman came up to him, and ask