and down the court, but she'd walked. So I cuts to
the nighest station, and sees a pal o' mine outside. `It's all right,'
says he; `she's in there,' meaning the lock-up. `Wot was she up to?'
says I. `Winders agin,' he says. So she's all safe, she is."

"I tell you what it is, Billy," said Smith. "I'm afraid you let her
spend the money you get for blacking boots on drink. That's what gets
her into trouble."

"That ain't no concern of yourn," said Billy. Then, suddenly correcting
himself, he added, "Leastways it ain't no concern of these here two
blokes. Mister, I say, governor, is it too late for to learn me to-
night?"

"Yes, it's too late to-night; but we'll have the school to-morrow
instead. Where will you live while your mother's away?"

"Oh, ain't you funny!" said the boy, with a grin. "As if a chap liked
me lived anywheres!"

"Well," said Jack, taking my arm, and not desirous to prolong the
discussion, "mind you turn up to-morrow, Billy."

"No fears," cried Billy, with a grin, accompanying us for a step or two,
walking on his hands.

"That's a most extraordinary lad," said the clergyman.

"There's a lot of good in him," responded Smith.

"And you are doing your best to bring it out," said the clergyman.

"Which way are you going?" said he, when presently with no further
adventure we had got through the court.

"To Drury Lane," said I.

"Ah, down this street. That's my way too. Will you just come into my
house and have a bit of supper?"

Jack never liked accepting invitations, but there was something so
friendly and simple-minded about this clergyman that it would almost
have seemed rude to say no.

"This is quite a new part of the town to me," said he, as we walked
along. "I suppose you know it well?"

"Yes," said I, "we lived close here for some months."

"I wished you lived here still," he said. "I want workers of your sort
in my new parish."

He insisted on including _me_ in his compliments, not knowing how little
I deserved them.

"My walk this evening," said he, "is really the first serious voyage of
discovery I have made in my parish, and the result is not very
encouraging. It seems a very low neighbourhood, worse a good deal than
I expected. However, there will be all the more to do."

There was something so modest and yet so resolute in the way he spoke
that we both liked him.

His house, a dull-looking City rectory, was at the end of the street,
and here we halte