ked--(to be regardless of gender)--

"Pallidula, rigida, nudula."

"Hum!" said Mr. Stink, who was a dog-breeder--"What's his pedigree?"

This brutal joke was well received by some of the Guardians.

"His pedigree," answered the half-wit, gravely, "goes back for three
hundred years. Parients unknown by name, but got by Misery out o'
Starvashun. The line began with Poverty out o' Laziness in Queen
Elizabeth's time. The breed has been a large 'un wotever you thinks of
the quality."

This pleasantry was less acceptable to the Board.

"Well," said Mr. Scoop, grocer, a great stickler for parliamentary modes
of procedure, "I move it be committed."

"Committed! Where?" said Mr. Stink.

"To Newgate I s'pose," said the half-wit, his eyes twinkling.

"Nonsense, sir,--for consideration. Send that man out," exclaimed
Scoop--"clear the room for consultation."

Davus was expelled, and the baby was then formally consigned to the care
of a committee. By this time the legal adviser came in. The facts having
been stated to him, he said:

"Gentlemen, as at present advised I am of opinion that the parish in
which the child was found is bound to maintain him. If Mr. Doll (a
highly respectable person, my own cheesemonger) found the child beyond
the boundaries of St. Simon Magus--and he will of course swear that he
did--you cannot refuse to take it in. However, I had better ascertain
the facts from Mr. Doll and take the opinion of counsel. Meanwhile we
must beware not to compromise ourselves by admitting anything, or doing
anything equivalent to an admission. Let me see--Ah!--yes--a notice to
be served on the other parish repudiating the infant; another notice
to Mr. Doll to take it away, and that it remains here at his risk and
expense--you see, gentlemen, we could hardly venture to return it to
Mr. Doll; we should create an unhappy impression in the minds of the
public--"

"D--n the public!" said Mr. Stink.

"Quite so, my dear sir," said Mr. Phillpotts, smiling, "quite so, but
that is not a legal or in fact practicable mode of discarding them; we
must act with public opinion, I fear. Then, to resume, thirdly and to be
strictly safe, we must serve a notice on the infant and all whom it may
concern. I think I'll draft it at once."

In a few minutes the committee in charge pinned to the only garment of
Ginx's Baby a paper in the following form:--

PARISH OF ST. BARTIMEUS.

To ---- ---- (name unknown), a Foundling, a