e flames, "wot have you been
a-doin' of?" I was standing speechless in the midst of my upset chair,
table, and books, glaring wildly, when the man said this.

"Edwards," I replied, with deep solemnity, "the mystery's cleared up at
last. _It has been all a dream_!"

"Wot's been all a dream? You hain't bin a bed all night, for the clo'se
is never touched, an' its broad daylight. Wot has bin up?"

I might have replied, that, according to his own statement, I had been
"up," but I did not. I began gradually to believe that the dreadful
scenes I had witnessed were not reality; and an overpowering sense of
joy kept filling my heart as I continued to glare at the man until I
thought my chest would rend asunder. Suddenly, and without moving hand,
foot, or eye, I gave vent to a loud, sharp, "Hurrah!"

Edwards started--"Eh?"

"Hurrah! hurrah! it's a DREAM!"

"Hallo! I say, you know, come, this won't--"

"Hurrah!"

"Bless my 'art, Master Ro--"

Again I interrupted him by seizing my cap, swinging it round my head in
an ecstasy of delight, and uttering cheer upon cheer with such
outrageous vehemence, that Edwards, who thought me raving mad, crept
towards the door, intending to bolt.

He was prevented from carrying out his intention, and violently
overturned by the entrance of my father in dishabille. I sprang
forward, plucked the spectacles off his nose, threw my arms round his
neck, and kissed him on both eyes.

"I won't run away now, father, no, no, no! it's all a dream--a horrid
dream! ha! ha! ha!"

"Bob, my dear boy!"

At this moment Jack, also in dishabille, rushed in. "Hallo! Bob,
what's all the row?"

I experienced a different, but equally powerful gush of feeling on
seeing my friend. Leaving my father, I rushed towards him, and, falling
on his neck, burst into tears. Yes, I confess it without shame.
Reader, if you had felt as I did, you would have done the same.

Jack led me gently to my bed, and, seating me on the edge of it, sat
down beside me. I at once perceived from their looks that they all
thought me mad, and felt the necessity of calming me before taking more
forcible measures. This tickled me so much that I laughed again
heartily, insomuch that Jack could not help joining me. Suddenly a
thought flashed into my mind. My heart leaped to my throat, and I
glanced downwards. _It was there_! I seized Jack's right leg, tumbled
him back into the bed, and laying the limb across my knee, g