several of the members.

"Any'ow, 'e's wanted by some one on very partikler business," growled
the irreverent member, and the secretary made his way to the door.

"W'y, Tottie!" exclaimed Pax, taking both the child's hands
patronisingly in his, "what brings you here?"

With a furtive glance at Mrs Square, Tottie said, "Oh! please, I want
to speak about something very partikler."

"Indeed! come out to the court then," said little Pax, leading the way;
"you'll be able to air the subject better there, whatever it is, and the
cats won't object. Sorry I can't take you into the hall, little 'un,
but ladies ain't admitted."

When the child, with eager haste, stated the object of her visit, and
wound up her discourse with the earnest remark that her father _must_ be
stopped, and _mustn't_ be took, her small counsellor looked as perplexed
and anxious as herself. Wrinkling up his smooth brow, he expressed the
belief that it was a difficult world to deal with, and he had had some
trouble already in finding out how to manage it.

"You see, Tot," he said, "this is a great evenin' with the literary
message-boys. Not that I care a rap for that, but I've unfortunately
got to move a vote of thanks to our lecturer to-night, and say somethin'
about the lecture, which I couldn't do, you know, unless I remained to
hear it. To be sure, I might get some one else to take my place, but
I'm not easily spared, for half the fun o' the evenin' would be lost if
they hadn't got me to make game of and air their chaff upon. Still, as
you say, your dad must have his little game stopped. He must be a great
blackg--I beg pardon, Tot, I mean that he must be a great disregarder of
the rights of man--woman, as it happens, in this case. However, as you
said, with equal truth, he must not be took, for if he was, he'd
probably be hanged, and I couldn't bear to think of your father bein'
scragged. Let me see. When did you say he meant to start?"

"He said to mother that he'd leave at nine, and might 'ave to be out all
night."

"At nine--eh? That would just give 'im time to get to Charing Cross to
catch the 9:30 train. Solomon Flint's lecture will be over about eight.
I could polish 'im off in ten minutes or so, and 'ave plenty of time to
catch the same train. Yes, that will do. But how am I to know your
father, Tot, for you know I haven't yet had the pleasure of makin' his
acquaintance?"

"Oh, you _can't_ mistake him," replied the child c