No, not he; not in his
line. Spree in London's more in his way. A beast, though, to talk like
that. Knows too much about such matters. I wish I could find out
something, and get him under my thumb, as I have saucy Jenny. How the
beggar made me jump!"

He glanced round at the vase he had nearly broken, then at the door, and
directly after at the window, to which he ran and looked out, for there
was the grating sound of wheels on the drive, but growing fainter and
fainter.

"My word! Isn't the old girl quick at putting on her hat and scarf!
She's safe for the day. Bravo, old Trimmer! Just when I was done up
for an idea to slope off. Fish rising? Yes, I'll rise 'em. Cookie'll
have hard work to fry all the trout I catch to-day. Phew! There goes
another brake. Blow up, you beauty! Why, auntie would have just met
them tittuping along. They must have scared the ponies into fits. She
can't half hold them."

He turned from the window, listening the while, though, to the rattle of
wheels and the trotting of horses down the road, and after a glance at
the door, through which the little maid had passed, he drew a note from
his pocket and began to spell it over in a low voice.

"`My dear darling Syd'--why, this is three days old. I didn't notice it
before--`Here's nearly a week and you haven't been to see me. Do come.
I want to say something so particular. If you don't come before, of
course you'll be at the races. I've got a new frock'--frock without a
k--`new frock for the occasion'--Ha, ha! What a rum little gipsy she
is! Put the _k_ she dropped in frock into occasion--`I say, do tell
your aunt and uncle all the truth'--Likely!--`and then I can tell dear
dad'--Jigger dear dad!--`I feel so wicked. He must know soon.'--What
did she put two thick lines under that for?--`That's all now, because
the dressmaker'--with only one s--`has come to try on my frock. I say,
do tell your dear aunt. She'll be awfully cross at first, but when she
knows all--that's all, dear.--Your affeckshunt for ever and ever, Lar
Sylphide'--Lar la--Yar! Yar! Tell auntie--phew! Talk about all the
fat in the fire, and me with it. Uncle's parlous state won't be nothing
to mine. Ugh!"

The boy jumped as if he had received a blow, and turned towards the
window. For the door was opened suddenly and Jane reappeared.

"Not gone then, Impidence?"

"No, I'm not gone yet, Saucebox. Why don't you tell my aunt?"

"Never you mind.