the foreman. The master was still silent, and still fingered the
materials which his very soul loved. "He must 'ave a matter of twenty
pair by him,--unless he sells 'em," said the suspicious foreman.

"He don't sell 'em," said Mr. Neefit. "He ain't one of that sort. You
can put 'em in hand, Waddle."

"Very well, Mr. Neefit. I only thought I'd mention it. It looked
queer like, his coming just when you was out."

"I don't see anything queer in it. He ain't one of that sort. Do
you go on." Mr. Waddle knew nothing of the hundred pounds, nor did
he know that Ralph Newton had,--twice drank tea at Hendon. On both
occasions Mrs. Neefit had declared that if ever she saw a gentleman,
Mr. Newton was a gentleman; and Miss Neefit, though her words had
been very few, had evidently approved of Mr. Newton's manners. Now
Miss Neefit was a beauty and an heiress.

Mr. Waddle had hardly been silenced, and had just retired with
melancholy diligence amidst the records of unsatisfactory commercial
transactions, before Ralph Newton again entered the shop. He shook
hands with Mr. Neefit,--as was the practice with many favourite
customers,--and immediately went to work in regard to his new order,
as though every Christmas and every Midsummer saw an account closed
on his behalf in Mr. Neefit's books. "I did say just now, when I
found you were out, that last year's lines would do; but it may be,
you know, that I'm running a little to flesh."

"We can't be too particular, Mr. Newton," said the master.

"It's all for your sake that I come," said the young sportsman,
walking into the little room, while Mr. Neefit followed with his
scraps of paper and tapes, and Waddle followed him to write down the
figures. "I don't care much how they look myself."

"Oh, Mr. Newton!"

"I shouldn't like 'em to wrinkle inside the knee, you know."

"That isn't likely with us, I hope, Mr. Newton."

"And I own I do like to be able to get into them."

"We don't give much trouble in that way, Mr. Newton."

"But the fact is I have such trust in you and the silent gentleman
out there, that I believe you would fit me for the next twenty years,
though you were never to see me."

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Newton,--2, 4, and 1/8th, Waddle. I think Mr.
Newton is a little stouter. But, perhaps, you may work that off
before November, Mr. Newton. Thank you, Mr. Newton;--I think that'll
do. You'll find we shan't be far wrong. Three pair, Mr. Newton?"

"Yes;--I think three p