as ye have done it to one of the least of these." Then he
patted my neck, which was always his way when anything pleased him.

The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the
hospital the door opened again, and the porter called out, "Cab!" We
stopped, and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at
once; she put back her veil and said, "Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it
you? I am very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want,
for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day."

"I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be
here. Where may I take you to, ma'am?"

"To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, as I think
we shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children."

We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady
stood a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's
mistress, and after many inquiries about her she said:

"How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary was rather
anxious about you last year."

"Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into
the warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself a
good deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, and that
does try a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, and I
should feel quite lost if I had not horses to look after. I was brought
up to it, and I am afraid I should not do so well at anything else."

"Well, Barker," she said, "it would be a great pity that you should
seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own but for
Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places where good drivers
or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think you ought to give up
this cab work let me know."

Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand,
saying, "There is five shillings each for the two children; Mary will
know how to spend it."

Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the
station we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired.

44 Old Captain and His Successor

Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, and he was
very good company. I never thought that he would have to leave his home
and go down the hill; but his turn came, and this was how it happened. I
was not there, but I heard all about it.

He and Jerry had taken a party