considering, he came back with' Henery, both of
'em puffing and blowing their 'ardest.

"There--he--is!" ses Bill Chambers, pointing to the old gentleman.

Henery Walker gave one look, and then 'e slipped over to the old man and
stood all of a tremble, smiling at 'im. "Good-evening," he ses.

"Wot?" ses the old gentleman.

"Good-evening!" ses Henery Walker ag'in.

"I'm a bit deaf," ses the old gentleman, putting his 'and to his ear.

"Good-evening!" ses Henery Walker ag'in, shouting. "I'm your
grand-nephew, Henery Walker!"

"Ho, are you?" ses the old gentleman, not at all surprised. "Bob Pretty
was telling me all about you."

"I 'ope you didn't listen to 'im," ses Henery, Walker, all of a tremble.
"Bob Pretty'd say anything except his prayers."

"He ses you're arter my money," ses the old gentleman, looking at 'im.

"He's a liar, then," ses Henery Walker; "he's arter it 'imself. And it
ain't a respectable place for you to stay at. Anybody'll tell you wot a
rascal Bob Pretty is. Why, he's a byword."

"Everybody is arter my money," ses the old gentleman, looking round.
"Everybody."

"I 'ope you'll know me better afore you've done with me, uncle," ses
Henery Walker, taking a seat alongside of 'im. "Will you 'ave another
mug o' beer?"

"Gin and beer," ses the old gentleman, cocking his eye up very fierce at
Smith, the landlord; "and mind the gin don't get out ag'in, same as it
did in the last."

Smith asked 'im wot he meant, but 'is deafness come on ag'in. Henery
Walker 'ad an extra dose o' gin put in, and arter he 'ad tasted it the
old gentleman seemed to get more amiable-like, and 'im and Henery Walker
sat by theirselves talking quite comfortable.

"Why not come and stay with me?" ses Henery Walker, at last. "You can do
as you please and have the best of everything."

"Bob Pretty ses you're arter my money," ses the old gentleman, shaking
his 'ead. "I couldn't trust you."

"He ses that to put you ag'in me," ses Henery Walker, pleading-like.

"Well, wot do you want me to come and live with you for, then?" ses old
Mr. Walker.

"Because you're my great-uncle," ses Henery Walker, "and my 'ouse is the
proper place for you. Blood is thicker than water."

"And you don't want my money?" ses the old man, looking at 'im very
sharp.

"Certainly not," ses Henery Walker.

"And 'ow much 'ave I got to pay a week?" ses old Mr. Walker. "That's the
question?"

"Pay?" ses Henery Walker, speaking afore he 'ad ti