ows that you and Miss Spruce are both going, of course
he'll be down upon me for his money." Chumpend was the butcher. But
Eames made no answer to this piteous plea. Whether or no he could
allow his old boots to remain in Burton Crescent for the next week
or two, must depend on the manner in which he might be received by
Amelia Roper this evening.

When he came down to the drawing-room, there was no one there but
Miss Spruce. "A fine day, Miss Spruce," said he.

"Yes, Mr Eames, it is a fine day for London; but don't you think the
country air is very nice?"

"Give me the town," said Johnny, wishing to say a good word for poor
Mrs Roper, if it were possible.

"You're a young man, Mr Eames; but I'm an old woman. That makes a
difference," said Miss Spruce.

"Not much," said Johnny, meaning to be civil. "You don't like to be
dull any more than I do."

"I like to be respectable, Mr Eames. I always have been respectable,
Mr Eames." This the old woman said almost in a whisper, looking
anxiously to see that the door had not been opened to other listening
ears.

"I'm sure Mrs Roper is very respectable."

"Yes; Mrs Roper is respectable, Mr Eames; but there are some here
that--Hush-sh-sh!" And the old lady put her finger up to her lips.
The door opened and Mrs Lupex swam into the room.

"How d'ye do, Miss Spruce? I declare you're always first. It's to get
a chance of having one of the young gentlemen to yourself, I believe.
What's the news in the city to-day, Mr Eames? In your position now of
course you hear all the news."

"Sir Raffle Buffle has got a new pair of shoes. I don't know that for
certain, but I guess it from the time it took him to put them on."

"Ah! now you're quizzing. That's always the way with you gentlemen
when you get a little up in the world. You don't think women are
worth talking to then, unless just for a joke or so."

"I'd a great deal sooner talk to you, Mrs Lupex, than I would to Sir
Raffle Buffle."

"It's all very well for you to say that. But we women know what such
compliments as those mean;--don't we, Miss Spruce? A woman that's
been married five years as I have,--or I may say six,--doesn't
expect much attention from young men. And though I was young when
I married,--young in years, that is,--I'd seen too much and gone
through too much to be young in heart." This she said almost in a
whisper; but Miss Spruce heard it, and was confirmed in her belief
that Burton Crescent was no longer