aking ensued. For a while, as the retreating footsteps
of the visitors gradually died away on the stairs, the little family
stood motionless, as though the slightest sound might recall them. But
when at last the street-door slammed below, Reginald flung himself into
a chair and groaned.

"Mother, we can't stay here. We must leave to-morrow!"

Horace could not help laughing.

"Why, Reg," he said, "you seemed to be enjoying yourself no end."

"Shut up, Horace, it's nothing to laugh about."

"My dear boy," said Mrs Cruden, "you think far more about it than you
need. After all, they seem kindly disposed persons, and I don't think
we should be unfriendly."

"That's all very well," said Reg, "if there was no Jemima in the
question."

"I should say it's all very well," said Horace, "if there was no Sam in
the question; though I dare say he means to be friendly. But didn't you
and Jemima hit it, then, Reg? I quite thought you did."

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" repeated Reg, this time half angrily.
"I don't see, mother," he added, "however poor we are, we are called on
to associate with a lot like that."

"They have not polished manners, certainly," said Mrs Cruden; "but I do
think they are good-natured, and that's a great thing."

"I should think so," said Horace. "What do you think? Samuel wants to
propose me for his club, which seems to be a very select affair."

"All I know is," said Reginald, "nothing will induce me to go into their
house. It may be rude, but I'm certain I'd be still more rude if I did
go."

"Well," said Horace, "I vote we take a walk, as it's a fine evening. I
feel a trifle warm after it all. What do you say?"

They said Yes, and in the empty streets that evening the mother and her
two sons walked happy in one another's company, and trying each in his
or her own way to gain courage for the days of trial that were to
follow.

The brothers had a short consultation that night as they went to bed,
_not_ on the subject of their next door neighbours.

"Horrors," said Reg, "what's to be done about the _Rocket_? I can't
stop there."

"It's awful," said Horace; "but what else can we do? If we cut it,
there's mother left a beggar."

"Couldn't we get into something else?"

"What? Who'd take us? There are thousands of fellows wanting work as
it is."

"But surely we're better than most of them. We're gentlemen and well
educated."

"So much the worse, it seems," said Horace