answered the
woman civilly. I hadn't got to the corner before that thriving young
lawyer, Sweet, who's quite the dandy, ran after me out of breath. "Mrs.
Smith," he says, "excuse my rudeness, but there's a bramble on the tail
of your dress, which you've dragged in from the country; allow me to
pull it off for you." If you'll believe me, this was in the very front
of the Town Hall. What's the meaning of such sudden love for a' old
woman?'

'Can't say; unless 'tis repentance.'

'Repentance! was there ever such a fool as you. John? Did anybody ever
repent with money in's pocket and fifty years to live?'

'Now, I've been thinking too,' said John, passing over the query as
hardly pertinent, 'that I've had more loving-kindness from folks to-day
than I ever have before since we moved here. Why, old Alderman Tope
walked out to the middle of the street where I was, to shake hands with
me--so 'a did. Having on my working clothes, I thought 'twas odd. Ay,
and there was young Werrington.'

'Who's he?'

'Why, the man in Hill Street, who plays and sells flutes, trumpets, and
fiddles, and grand pehanners. He was talking to Egloskerry, that very
small bachelor-man with money in the funds. I was going by, I'm sure,
without thinking or expecting a nod from men of that glib kidney when in
my working clothes----'

'You always will go poking into town in your working clothes. Beg you to
change how I will, 'tis no use.'

'Well, however, I was in my working clothes. Werrington saw me. "Ah, Mr.
Smith! a fine morning; excellent weather for building," says he, out as
loud and friendly as if I'd met him in some deep hollow, where he could
get nobody else to speak to at all. 'Twas odd: for Werrington is one of
the very ringleaders of the fast class.'

At that moment a tap came to the door. The door was immediately opened
by Mrs. Smith in person.

'You'll excuse us, I'm sure, Mrs. Smith, but this beautiful spring
weather was too much for us. Yes, and we could stay in no longer; and I
took Mrs. Trewen upon my arm directly we'd had a cup of tea, and out we
came. And seeing your beautiful crocuses in such a bloom, we've taken
the liberty to enter. We'll step round the garden, if you don't mind.'

'Not at all,' said Mrs. Smith; and they walked round the garden.
She lifted her hands in amazement directly their backs were turned.
'Goodness send us grace!'

'Who be they?' said her husband.

'Actually Mr. Trewen, the bank-manager, and his w