ttle Grigs, he's about as impudent as yourself, Pax.
Strange, isn't it, that it's chiefly little fellows who are impudent?"

"Wouldn't it be strange if it were otherwise?" retorted Pax, with an
injured look. "As we can't knock people down with our fists, aren't we
justified in knockin' 'em down with our tongues?"

"Then," continued Phil, "there's George Granger and Macnab--"

"Ah! ain't he the boy for argufyin' too?" interrupted Pax, "and he'll
meet his match in Sandy Tod. And there's Tom Blunter--"

"And Jim Scroggins--"

"An' Limp Letherby--"

"An' Fat Collins--"

"An' Bobby Sprat. Oh!" exclaimed Pax, with a glowing countenance,
"we've got lots o' first-rate men among the message-boys, though there
_are_ some uncommon bad 'uns. But we'll have none except true-blues in
_our_ literary association."

The society thus planned was soon called into being, for Philip Maylands
was one of those determined characters who carry their plans into
execution with vigour and despatch. His first move was to seek counsel
of Mr Sterling, a city missionary--the same who had directed George
Aspel to the abode of Abel Bones on the night of that youth's visit to
Archangel Court,--with whom he had become acquainted on one of his
visits to Miss Lillycrop. That good lady was a staunch ally and able
assistant of many city missionaries, and did much service in the way of
bringing them into acquaintance with people who she thought might be
helpful to them, or get help from them. A mutual liking had sprung up
between Mr Antony Sterling and Phil on that occasion, which had ripened
into friendship.

"You'll help us at our first meeting, won't you?" asked Phil, after they
had talked the matter over.

"Yes, if you wish it," replied Mr Sterling. "But I won't come at the
beginning. I'll drop in towards the close, and won't say much. You'd
best begin the work by yourselves. I'll come to your aid whenever you
seem to require it. But have a care how you start, Phil. Whatever the
other members may do, remember that you, as the originator of the
association, are bound to lay the foundations with the blessing of God."

Phil did not neglect this all-important point, and, having obtained
permission from Solomon Flint to use the shed, the society was soon
auspiciously commenced with a lively debate, in Pegaway Hall, as to the
best method of conducting its own affairs. On this occasion Philip
Maylands proved himself to be an able organi