t I was unintelligible; but the questions he
put to me, 'Why had I no hat on in the open street?--Where did my mother
live?--What was I doing out alone in London?' were so many incitements
to autobiographical composition to an infant mind, and I tumbled out
my history afresh each time that he spoke. He led me into a square,
stooping his head to listen all the while; but when I perceived that
we had quitted the region of shops I made myself quite intelligible by
stopping short and crying: 'I am so hungry.' He nodded and said, 'It 's
no use cross-examining an empty stomach. You'll do me the favour to dine
with me, my little man. We'll talk over your affairs by-and-by.'

My alarm at having left the savoury street of shops was not soothed
until I found myself sitting at table with him, and a nice young lady,
and an old one who wore a cap, and made loud remarks on my garments and
everything I did. I was introduced to them as the little boy dropped
from the sky. The old gentleman would not allow me to be questioned
before I had eaten. It was a memorable feast. I had soup, fish, meat,
and pastry, and, for the first time in my life, a glass of wine. How
they laughed to see me blink and cough after I had swallowed half the
glass like water. At once my tongue was unloosed. I seemed to rise right
above the roofs of London, beneath which I had been but a wandering atom
a few minutes ago. I talked of my wonderful father, and Great Will, and
Pitt, and the Peerage. I amazed them with my knowledge. When I finished
a long recital of Great Will's chase of the deer, by saying that I did
not care about politics (I meant, in my own mind, that Pitt was dull in
comparison), they laughed enormously, as if I had fired them off. 'Do
you know what you are, sir?' said the old gentleman; he had frowning
eyebrows and a merry mouth 'you're a comical character.'

I felt interested in him, and asked him what he was. He informed me
that he was a lawyer, and ready to be pantaloon to my clown, if I would
engage him.

'Are you in the Peerage?' said I.

'Not yet,' he replied.

'Well, then,' said I, 'I know nothing about you.'

The young lady screamed with laughter. 'Oh, you funny little boy; you
killing little creature!' she said, and coming round to me, lifted me
out of my chair, and wanted to know if I knew how to kiss.

'Oh, yes; I've been taught that,' said I, giving the salute without
waiting for the invitation; 'but,' I added, 'I don't care abo