he cheapest; and the chaplain asked us about
the Catechism every Sunday.'

'What was the chaplain's name?'

Paul was able, with some recollection, to answer; but he knew little
about the clergyman, who was much overworked, and seldom able to give any
time to the paupers.

Three days after, Mr. Cope again came into the post-office.

'Well, Mrs. King, I suppose you don't need to be told that our friend
Paul has spoken nothing but truth. The chaplain sends me his baptismal
registry, for which I asked. Just seventeen he must be--a foundling,
picked up at about three weeks old, January 25th, 1836. They fancy he
was left by some tramping musicians, but never were able to trace them--at
least, so the chaplain hears from some of the people who remember it.
Being so stunted, and looking younger than he is, no farmer would take
him from the House, and the school-master made him useful, so he was kept
on till the grand exposure that he told us of.'

'Ah! Sir,' said Mrs. King,' I'm afraid that master was a bad man. I
only wonder the poor lad learnt no more harm from him!'

'One trembles to think of the danger,' said Mr. Cope; 'but you see
there's often a guard over those who don't seek the temptation, and
perhaps this poor fellow's utter ignorance of anything beyond the Union
walls helped him to let the mischief pass by his understanding, better
than if he had had any experience of the world.'

'I doubt if he'll ever have that, Sir,' said Mrs. King, her sensible face
lighting up rather drolly; 'there's Harold always laughing at him for
being so innocent, and yet so clever at his book.'

'So much the better for him,' said Mr. Cope. 'The Son of Sirach never
said a wiser word than that "the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom."
Why, Mrs. King, what have I said? you look as if you had a great mind to
laugh at me.'

'I beg your pardon, Sir,' said Mrs. King, much disconcerted at what
seemed to her as if it might have been disrespect, though that was only
Mr. Cope's droll way of putting it, 'I never meant--'

'Well, but what were you thinking of?'

'Why, Sir, I beg your pardon, but I was thinking it wouldn't have been
amiss if he had had sense enough to keep himself clean and tidy.'

'I agree with you,' said Mr. Cope, laughing, and seeing she used
'innocent' in a slightly different sense from what he did; 'but perhaps
Union cleanliness was not inviting, and he'd not had you to bring him up
to fresh cheeks like Harold