company. "Them's the places," said Neefit, "where a girl grows soft
as butter." This he said when the door-handle was in his hand, so
that "the Captain" had no chance of answering him. Then he came again
the next morning, and returned to the subject as though "the Captain"
had already consented. There was a near approach to anger on one side
and determined opposition on the other during this interview, but
it ended in acquiescence on the Captain's side. Then Mr. Neefit was
once more as gracious as possible. The graciousness of such men in
acknowledging their own inferiority is sometimes wonderful. "You
needn't be seen about with me, you know," said Mr. Neefit. This
was said after Ralph had positively declared that he would not go
actually with the Neefits and occupy the same apartments. "It would
be altogether wrong,--for Polly's sake," said Ralph, looking very
wise and very moral. To this view Neefit assented, not being quite
sure how far "the Captain" might be correct in his ideas of morality.

"They've been and fixed young Newton for Polly," said Mr. Waddle that
morning, to his friend Herr Bawwah, when he was told to mark off
Ralph's account in the books as settled. "Dashed if they 'aven't,"
the German grunted. "Old Neverfit's a-playing at 'igh game, ain't
he?" Such was the most undeserved nickname by which this excellent
tradesman was known in his own establishment. "I don't see nodin
about 'igh," said the German. "He ain't got no money. I call it low."
Waddle endeavoured to explain the circumstances, but failed. "De
peoples should be de peoples, and de nobles should be de nobles,"
said Herr Bawwah;--a doctrine which was again unintelligible to Mr.
Waddle.

Ralph having overcome an intense desire to throw over his engagement,
to sell his horses, and to start for Jerusalem, did go down to
Margate. He put himself up at an hotel there, eat his dinner, lighted
a cigar, and went down upon the sands. It was growing dusk, and he
thought that he should be alone,--or, at least, uninterrupted in
a crowd. The crowd was there, and nobody in the place would know
him,--except the Neefits. He had not been on the sands two minutes
before he encountered Mr. Neefit and his daughter. The breeches-maker
talked loud, and was extremely happy. Polly smiled, and was very
pretty. In two minutes Neefit saw, or pretended to see, a friend, and
Ralph was left with his lady-love. There never was so good-natured a
father! "You'll bring her ho