It happened that the other five children were left behind at the

dinner-table, through Flopson's having some private engagement, and

their not being anybody else's business. I thus became aware of the

mutual relations between them and Mr. Pocket, which were exemplified in

the following manner. Mr. Pocket, with the normal perplexity of his face

heightened and his hair rumpled, looked at them for some minutes, as if

he couldn't make out how they came to be boarding and lodging in that

establishment, and why they hadn't been billeted by Nature on

somebody else. Then, in a distant Missionary way he asked them certain

questions,--as why little Joe had that hole in his frill, who said, Pa,

Flopson was going to mend it when she had time,--and how little Fanny

came by that whitlow, who said, Pa, Millers was going to poultice it

when she didn't forget. Then, he melted into parental tenderness, and

gave them a shilling apiece and told them to go and play; and then as

they went out, with one very strong effort to lift himself up by the

hair he dismissed the hopeless subject.

In the evening there was rowing on the river. As Drummle and Startop had

each a boat, I resolved to set up mine, and to cut them both out. I was

pretty good at most exercises in which country boys are adepts, but as

I was conscious of wanting elegance of style for the Thames,--not to say

for other waters,--I at once engaged to place myself under the tuition

of the winner of a prize-wherry who plied at our stairs, and to whom I

was introduced by my new allies. This practical authority confused me

very much by saying I had the arm of a blacksmith. If he could have

known how nearly the compliment lost him his pupil, I doubt if he would

have paid it.

There was a supper-tray after we got home at night, and I think we

should all have enjoyed ourselves, but for a rather disagreeable

domestic occurrence. Mr. Pocket was in good spirits, when a housemaid

came in, and said, "If you please, sir, I should wish to speak to you."

"Speak to your master?" said Mrs. Pocket, whose dignity was roused

again. "How can you think of such a thing? Go and speak to Flopson. Or

speak to me--at some other time."

"Begging your pardon, ma'am," returned the housemaid, "I should wish to

speak at once, and to speak to master."

Hereupon, Mr. Pocket went out of the room, and we made the best of

ourselves until he came back.




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