"Oh, never mind; it is the first that I have had for a long while, and I
shall tell mamma why. But you are dressed as a sailor-boy--are you
going to sea?"

"No, I believe not--I hope to have employment in the town here, and then
I shall be able to see you sometimes, when you come from school. May I
walk with you as far as your own house?"

"Yes, I suppose so, if you like it."

Joey walked with her until they came to the house, which was about two
hundred yards farther.

"But," said Joey, hesitating, "you must make me a promise."

"What is that?"

"You must keep my secret. You must not tell your mother that you saw me
first in what you call gentleman's clothes--it might do me harm--and
indeed it's not for my own sake I ask it. Don't say a word about my
other clothes, or they may ask me questions which I must not answer, for
it's not my secret. I told you more this morning than I would have told
any one else--I did, indeed."

"Well," replied the little girl, after thinking a little, "I suppose I
have no right to tell a secret, if I am begged not to do it, so I will
say nothing, about your clothes. But I must tell mother that I met
you."

"Oh, yes; tell her you met me, and that I was looking for some work, and
all that, and to-morrow or next day I will let you know if I get any."

"Will you come in now?" said Emma.

"No, not now; I must see if I can get this employment promised for me,
and then I shall see you again; if I should not see you again, I shall
not forget you, indeed I won't--Good-bye."

Emma bade him adieu, and they separated, and Joey remained and watched
her till she disappeared under the porch of the entrance.

Our hero returned towards Gravesend in rather a melancholy mood; there
was something so unusual in his meeting with the little girl--something
so uncommon in the sympathy expressed by her--that he felt pain at
parting. But it was getting late, and it was time that he kept his
appointment with his friend, the sailor boy.

Joey remained at the door of the eating-house for about a quarter of an
hour, when he perceived the sailor lad coming up the street. He went
forward to meet him.

"Oh, here we are. Well, young fellow, I've seen the old woman, and had
a long talk with her, and she won't believe there can be another in the
world like her Peter, but I persuaded her to have a look at you, and she
has consented; so come along, for I must be on board again in half an
hour."

Jo