right?"

"Oh, yes, uncle! There's nothing the matter with me."

"Then come along and let's run home. Never mind appearances; let's get
into some dry clothes. But I should like to hear about the child."

It was an easy thing to say, but not to do. We wanted to go to Gentles'
house, but we were surrounded by a dense crowd; and the next minute a
lot of rough men were shaking both Uncle Jack's hands and fighting one
with the other to get hold of them, while I--

Just fancy being in the middle of a crowd of women, and all of them
wanting to throw their arms round me and kiss me at once.

That was my fate then; and regardless of my resistance one motherly body
after another seized me, kissing my cheeks roundly, straining me to her
bosom, and calling me her "brave lad!" or her "bonny bairn!" or "my
mahn!"

I had to be kissed and hand-shaken till I would gladly have escaped for
very shame; and at last Uncle Jack rescued me, coming to my side smiling
and looking round.

"If he's thy bairn, mester," cried the virago-like woman who had helped
Mrs Gentles, "thou ought to be proud of him."

"And so I am," cried Uncle Jack, laying his hand upon my shoulder.

Here there was a loud "hurrah!" set up by the men, and the women joined
in shrilly, while a couple of men with big mugs elbowed their way
towards us.

"Here, lay holt, mester," said one to Uncle Jack; "drink that--it'll
keep out the cold."

At the same moment a mug was forced into my hand, and in response to a
nod from Uncle Jack I took a hearty draught of some strong mixture which
I believe was gin and beer.

"How is the child?" said Uncle Jack.

"Doctor says he can't tell yet, but hopes he'll pull bairn through."

"Now, my lads," said Uncle Jack, "you don't want us to catch cold?"

"No.--Hurray!"

"Nor you neither, my good women?"

"Nay, God bless thee, no!" was chorused.

"Then good-bye! And if one of you will run down to our place and tell
us how the little child is by and by, I'll be glad."

"Nay, thou'llt shake han's wi' me first," said the big virago-like
woman, whose drenched clothes clung to her from top to toe.

"That I will," cried Uncle Jack, suiting the action to the word by
holding out his; but to his surprise the woman laid her hands upon his
shoulders, the tears streaming down her cheeks, and kissed him in simple
north-country fashion.

"God bless thee, my mahn!" she said with a sob. "Thou may'st be a
Lunnoner, but thou'rt a true