, measuring about ten feet
square, lighted by a small window, warmed by a small fire, decorated
with a small bookcase, and furnished with a small table, two small
chairs, and a small cupboard.

"This is my den; and mind when you clean the window you don't crack that
pane more than it is; and when you brush my things, you know, see the
shelf isn't dirty, because I sometimes keep my worms there--do you hear?
And now come along to bed; they put out lights at half-past nine."

The mention of the time recalled me instinctively to Charlie's thoughts.
He could not resist the temptation, suggested half by anxiety and half
by vanity, of taking me out and looking at me.

"Hullo! What, have you got a watch?"

"Yes," said Charlie meekly, not exactly knowing whether his companion
would be admiring or indignant with him.

"More than I have," was all Joe's rejoinder.

Charlie's generosity was at once touched.

"Oh, never mind, we can go shares sometimes, if you like, you know,"
said he, not without an effort.

"I don't want your watch," was Master Halliday's somewhat ungracious
reply. "Let's have a look at it, will you?"

He took me, and examined me; and evidently would not have objected to be
the possessor of a watch himself, though he tried to make it appear it
was a matter of indifference to him.

"Why don't you get your father to give you one?" asked Charlie
innocently.

"Because I haven't got a father."

"Not got a father! Oh, I am sorry!" and the starting tears in the
little fellow's eyes testified only too truly to his sincerity. "Look
here," he added, "do take the watch, please; perhaps you would like it,
and my father would give me another."

Joe Halliday gazed at his young fag in amazement.

"Why, you are a queer chap," he said. "I wouldn't take your watch for
anything; but I tell you what, I'll ask you the time whenever I want to
know."

"Will you really?" cried the delighted Charlie. "How jolly!"

"And look here," continued Halliday, "take my advice, and don't go
offering your watch to everybody who hasn't got a father, or some of
them might take you at your word, and then you'd look foolish. Come
along now."

And he led the boy into the dormitory, where there were about twenty
beds, most of them already occupied by boys, and the rest waiting for
occupants, who were rapidly undressing in different parts of the room.

"Look sharp and tumble in," said Joe, pointing out the bed Charlie was
to ha