Qui Quæ Quums!" said I, clinging in despair
to that body.

"Well, it do sound queer," replied the champion,
thoughtfully, as though the idea had never
before occurred to him.

It was now verging upon baby's bedtime, and
I sent him off. Augustus Littler, who had
scarcely uttered a word, or once taken his eyes
off Mr. Brooser, presently withdrew. The latter
seemed disposed to remain, and I was thinking
of inviting him to go out while I put baby to
bed, and examine a beautiful Irish water-spaniel
John had lately bought, when Benjamin appeared
and announced that Mr. Brooser was required
without.

"Who is it, young man?" inquired that
gentleman.

"Seemingly," replied Benjamin, rather sulkily,
"he don't know himself. He tried hard to
recollect his name and couldn't, so I was to say
'that other party.'"

Mr. Brooser's genteel apathy vanished in a
moment.

"I'm blest if it ain't that Novice!" he cried,
starting up with a movement that imparted to
the whole house a sensation like a gentle shock
of earthquake. " Where is he?"

"Your Novice!" I repeated. " The poor
thing. I hope, Benjamin, you have not left
him standing in the draught. It might cost the
child his life! Conduct him instantly into your
master's study. There's a nice sofa——"

"I—I—think, 'm," said Benjamin, hesitating,
"the gentleman's a little the worse for
liquor."

"The Novice drunk!" said Mr. Brooser.
"It ain't on the cards." His voice sank
gradually almost to a whisper, under the influence
of an emotion which interested me still more in
the object of it.

"You must be mistaken, Benjamin," I said.
"The young man is extremely delicate. He
has been ailing—"

"Yes, he have, 'm—at the Chequers," was
Benjamin's reply.

"Drunk! When he giv' me his solemn word
of honour that nothing stronger than swisses
should cross his lips till I give leave! No,
there's many things possible, but this," said
Mr. Brooser, gravely and reflectively, " this ain't
possible."

"Of course it is not. Pray be calm, Mr.
Brooser. You cannot tell what injurious effect
may be produced upon your young ward by any
sudden demonstration of anger on the part of
one he loves and reveres."

"If he don't rewere me now," said the champion,
grinding his teeth, " he shall before he's
two minutes older. And him all nohow already!
Oh dear! Oh dear! When the fellow knows he
can't carry as much licker as would drown a
cockroach!"

I quite felt for the man, and said all I could
think of to calm his agitation.

"Such excesses, my good friend, are indeed
to be deplored. Still, he is young; and, with
the excellent example he possesses in you,
may yet grow up to reward your pains and
precepts."

"Well, I have taken some pains with him.
That's where it is, you see. Didn't I knock him
down fifteen times in one morning?"

"Knocked him down fifteen times! Oh, you
mean arguments."

"Yes. They was. Regular floorers. And
now to go a trifling with his condition like this
here!"

"One indiscretion," I remarked, firmly,
"cannot compromise his social condition, as
you apprehend. And really, he must not be left
in uncertainty as to your reception of him.
Remember, Mr. Brooser, he is far from strong.
It is quite possible that this debility, and
perhaps a little nervousness at being left alone
among strange people, may have occasioned
the appearance my servant mistakes for
intoxication. Pray be satisfied. Benjamin, let a
bed be placed in your master's dressing-room.
Harriet shall make up a nice strengthening
draught, and I do hope that, after a night's
careful nursing, our young friend will appear at
the breakfast-table quite an altered creature."

Mr. Brooser muttered some sounds like—"It's
to be hoped he 'ood." Then added, aloud:

"Would you like to see the Novice, mum?
'Tain't every one that has the chance."

I replied, with a smile, that I was the more
fortunate, and entreated him to afford me that
pleasure—for, indeed, it was high time that the
child was in bed—and we accordingly left the
room. There was no one in the hall; but, as we
approached the house-door, the murmur of many
voices reached my ears, and made me quicken
my steps. Benjamin threw open the door, and
disclosed a curious scene.

Fringing the rails outside the gravelled space
in front there were at least five hundred people,
chiefly men employed in the neighbouring works.
They were in a state of the wildest excitement,
shouting and scuffling, and were hardly
prevented by the exertions of a few stalwart fellows
of our own works from invading the terrace.
As it was, just as we appeared a party had
forced their way over.

"Where—where is the poor young man?" I
asked, anxiously.

"He's among 'em," replied Benjamin, coolly.

"Among them?"

"He would go, 'm. He said they was his
nix-my-dolliples."

"His what?"

"And he loved 'em all like brothers, though
they've been and bonneted him cruel."

"Brooser, Brooser! The Novice! Where's
your Novice?" yelled the mob.

Mr. Brooser plunged head first into the
crowd, sending them, like ninepins, to the right
and left; I saw him stoop and pick up
something that looked like a bundle of old coats, to
which was attached a battered hat. He shook
this object almost savagely; then, balancing it
on end, and giving it a kick to steady it, retired
a pace or two, and, waving his hand, announced
to me: