t."

"The lad IS a lad of nous," cried Doctor Wood, "although his mother does
spoil him so cruelly. Look you, Madam Cat: did you not hear what he said
about Beinkleider and the clothes? Tommy will just wait on the Count
with his Lordship's breeches. A man may learn a deal of news in the
trying on of a pair of breeches."

And so it was agreed that in this manner the son should at first
make his appearance before his father. Mrs. Cat gave him the piece of
brocade, which, in the course of the day, was fashioned into a smart
waistcoat (for Beinkleider's shop was close by, in Cavendish Square).
Mrs. Gretel, with many blushes, tied a fine blue riband round his neck;
and, in a pair of silk stockings, with gold buckles to his shoes, Master
Billings looked a very proper young gentleman.

"And, Tommy," said his mother, blushing and hesitating, "should
Max--should his Lordship ask after your--want to know if your mother is
alive, you can say she is, and well, and often talks of old times. And,
Tommy" (after another pause), "you needn't say anything about Mr. Hayes;
only say I'm quite well."

Mrs. Hayes looked at him as he marched down the street, a long long way.
Tom was proud and gay in his new costume, and was not unlike his father.
As she looked, lo! Oxford Street disappeared, and she saw a green
common, and a village, and a little inn. There was a soldier leading a
pair of horses about on the green common; and in the inn sat a cavalier,
so young, so merry, so beautiful! Oh, what slim white hands he had; and
winning words, and tender, gentle blue eyes! Was it not an honour to
a country lass that such a noble gentleman should look at her for a
moment? Had he not some charm about him that she must needs obey when he
whispered in her ear, "Come, follow me!" As she walked towards the lane
that morning, how well she remembered each spot as she passed it, and
the look it wore for the last time! How the smoke was rising from the
pastures, how the fish were jumping and plashing in the mill-stream!
There was the church, with all its windows lighted up with gold, and
yonder were the reapers sweeping down the brown corn. She tried to sing
as she went up the hill--what was it? She could not remember; but oh,
how well she remembered the sound of the horse's hoofs, as they came
quicker, quicker--nearer, nearer! How noble he looked on his great
horse! Was he thinking of her, or were they all silly words which he
spoke last night, merely t