condition or age soever,
peculiarly hemmed in with perils and dangers. Lastly, inquiry was made
into the nature and extent of Kit's wardrobe, and a small advance being
made to improve the same, he was formally hired at an annual income of
Six Pounds, over and above his board and lodging, by Mr and Mrs
Garland, of Abel Cottage, Finchley.

It would be difficult to say which party appeared most pleased with
this arrangement, the conclusion of which was hailed with nothing but
pleasant looks and cheerful smiles on both sides. It was settled that
Kit should repair to his new abode on the next day but one, in the
morning; and finally, the little old couple, after bestowing a bright
half-crown on little Jacob and another on the baby, took their leaves;
being escorted as far as the street by their new attendant, who held
the obdurate pony by the bridle while they took their seats, and saw
them drive away with a lightened heart.

'Well, mother,' said Kit, hurrying back into the house, 'I think my
fortune's about made now.'

'I should think it was indeed, Kit,' rejoined his mother. 'Six pound a
year! Only think!'

'Ah!' said Kit, trying to maintain the gravity which the consideration
of such a sum demanded, but grinning with delight in spite of himself.
'There's a property!'

Kit drew a long breath when he had said this, and putting his hands
deep into his pockets as if there were one year's wages at least in
each, looked at his mother, as though he saw through her, and down an
immense perspective of sovereigns beyond.

'Please God we'll make such a lady of you for Sundays, mother! such a
scholar of Jacob, such a child of the baby, such a room of the one up
stairs! Six pound a year!'

'Hem!' croaked a strange voice. 'What's that about six pound a year?
What about six pound a year?' And as the voice made this inquiry,
Daniel Quilp walked in with Richard Swiveller at his heels.

'Who said he was to have six pound a year?' said Quilp, looking sharply
round. 'Did the old man say it, or did little Nell say it? And what's
he to have it for, and where are they, eh!' The good woman was so much
alarmed by the sudden apparition of this unknown piece of ugliness,
that she hastily caught the baby from its cradle and retreated into the
furthest corner of the room; while little Jacob, sitting upon his stool
with his hands on his knees, looked full at him in a species of
fascination, roaring lustily all the time. Richard S