d Peter, in a gloomy voice.

'Yes, yes, that was it, and 10 was the number of the house. I don't
forget the number 'cause I asked mother, and she said it was 10. O
Peter, that's where our lady lives, and I do think it would be better to
give her Dickory. There, Peter, bless her! she's sneezing again. I'm
sure we had better take her to the lady.'

'All right,' answered Peter, 'I'll be a termagant again when she's gone;
see if I won't. I'll get up an awful racking cough at night, and I'll
worry that nasty Mr Martin much more than Dickory has worried him, see if
I don't; and I'll sing on the stairs, and I'll whistle awful loud, and
I'll buy a Jew's-harp with one of my pennies. I'll turn into a horrid
boy! but I suppose you are right about Dickory, Flossy. Here, let's go
back as fast as we can to that house you were so 'cute as to take the
number of. I'm mis'rible, and I mean to be mis'rible, so don't you
expect nothing cheerful from me, Flossy.'

'Very well, Peter,' said Flossy meekly.

And then the little party, slowly and painfully, for Flossy was very,
very tired, and poor Peter's arms ached fearfully, retraced their steps.
The baby had ceased crying and was asleep, and after about two hours'
patient walking and asking their way, the children found themselves in
Bevington Square.

'I'd better go up first to the door,' said Flossy, 'and ask her if she'd
like a baby. You might stand round there, Peter, and you might keep Snip-
snap with you.'

'You needn't press her about it,' said Peter; 'if she don't seem quite
delighted we won't give up Dickory on no account; and kiss her before you
go, Flossy, for of course the lady will take her; and in a few minutes
she won't be our Dickory no more.'

Peter unfastened a corner of the old tartan shawl, and Flossy imprinted a
grave kiss on the baby's forehead. Then, with great solemnity, and with
the air of one engaged on an important mission, she went up the steps of
the great house and rang the bell. Flossy was an attractive little
child, her hair was really beautiful, and she had a very wistful and
taking manner.

'Please,' she said now to the tall, powdered footman, 'I know the lady
what cried is here; please can I see her? I've brought her a little
baby, and I want to see her about it.'

Flossy did not look quite like a common child, and her face wore a very
sweet expression when she spoke of the baby; nevertheless the footman
only stared at her, and would