n't pity us
worse than they do. I incline to Stubbs and Co. One of them was once
in the Greenleaf office, and has a regard for anything from thence;
besides Mark would have something to do besides desk work. He would
have to judge of samples, and see to the taking in and storing of
goods. He does know something about that, and I'm sure it would agree
with him better than an unmitigated high stool, with his nose to a
desk.'

'I should like it better.'

'That's right! Now I have got some one to say so. Besides, rising is
possible, if one gets very useful. I mean to be Mrs. Alderman, if not
my Lady Mayoress, before we have done. Then they have a great big
almost deserted set of rooms over the warehouse, where we might live
and look after the place.'

'Oh! but should you like that?'

'Mr. Dutton wants us to live out in some of the suburban places, where
it seems there is a perfect population of clerks' families in
semi-detached houses. He says we should save Mark's railway fare,
rent, and all in doctors' bills. But people, children and all, do live
and thrive in the City; and I think Mark's health will be better looked
after if I am there to give him his midday bite and sup, and brush him
up, than if he is left to cater for himself; and as to exercise for the
Billy-boy, 'tis not so far to the Thames Embankment. The only things
that stagger me are the blacks! I don't know whether life is long
enough to be after the blacks all day long, but perhaps I shall get
used to them!'

'Well, I think that would be worse.'

'Perhaps it would; and at any rate, if the blacks do beat me, we could
move. Think, no rent, nor rates, nor taxes--that is an inducement to
swallow--no--to contend with, any number of blackamoors, isn't it? even
if they settle on the tip of Billy-boy's nose.'

'I could come to see you better there than out in a suburb,' said
Nuttie. 'But what do these rooms look out upon?'

'On one side into their own court, on the other into Wulstan Street--a
quiet place on the whole--all walls and warehouses; and there's an
excellent parish church, Mr. Underwood's; so I think we might do worse.'

Nuttie was very sorry that the gentlemen came up, and Mr. Fane wandered
out and began asking whether they were going to the rose show. Somehow
on that evening she became conscious that Annaple looked at her and Mr.
Fane rather curiously; and when they met again the next day, and having
grown intimate over the intro