ther
Reginald was luring him in to his own destruction. But at any rate the
sight of the fire roused him to heroism, and, reckless of all
consequences, he walked in.

"Don't do nothink to me this time, gov'nor," whimpered he, as he got
within arm's length; "let us off, do you hear? this time."

"Poor boy," said Reginald kindly, putting a stool for him close beside
the fire; "I'm not going to do anything but warm you. Sit down, and
don't be afraid."

The boy dropped almost exhausted on the stool, and gazed in a sort of
rapture into the fire. Then, looking up at Reginald, he said,--

"Beg your pardon, gov'nor,--ain't got a crust of bread you don't want,
'ave yer?"

The hint was quite enough to send Reginald flying to his little
"larder."

The boy devoured the bread set before him with a fierceness that looked
as if he had scarcely touched food since he had gone away. He made
clear decks of all Reginald had in the place; and then, slipping off the
stool, curled himself up on the floor before the fire like a dog, and
dropped off into a heavy sleep. Reginald took the opportunity to make a
hurried excursion to the nearest provision shop to lay in what store his
little means would allow. He might have spared himself the trouble of
locking the door behind him, though, for on his return the boy had never
stirred.

The little sleeper lay there all night, until, in fact, the coals could
hold out no longer, and the fire went out. Then Reginald woke him and
carried him off to his own bed, where he dropped off into another long
sleep which lasted till midday. After partaking of the meal his
benefactor had ready for him on waking, he seemed more like himself, and
disposed to make himself useful.

"Ain't got no envellups to lick, then?" said he, looking round the
deserted room.

"No, there's nothing to do here just now," said Reginald.

The boy looked a little disappointed, but said, presently,--

"Want any errands fetched, gov'nor?"

"No, not now. I've got all I want in for the present."

"Like yer winders cleaned?"

"Not much use with this frost on them," said Reginald.

Thwarted thus on every hand, the boy asked no more questions, but took
upon himself to go round the office and dust it as well as he could with
the ragged tail of his coat. It was evidently his way of saying, "Thank
you," and he seemed more easy in his mind when it was done.

He stopped once in the middle of his task as he caught Regina