d revolutionise them still more
radically. He had not the least desire to acquaint himself with law; he
had looked into it already, and it seemed not to repay attention; but
upon this also he was ready to give way. In fact, he would go as far as
he could to meet the views of his uncle, the Squirradical. But there was
one part of the programme that appeared independent of his will. How to
get a brief? there was the question. And there was another and a worse.
Suppose he got one, should he prove the better man?

Suddenly he found his way barred by a crowd. A garishly illuminated van
was backed against the kerb; from its open stern, half resting on the
street, half supported by some glistening athletes, the end of the
largest packing-case in the county of Middlesex might have been seen
protruding; while, on the steps of the house, the burly person of the
driver and the slim figure of a young girl stood as upon a stage,
disputing.

"It is not for us," the girl was saying. "I beg you to take it away; it
couldn't get into the house, even if you managed to get it out of the
van."

"I shall leave it on the pavement, then, and M. Finsbury can arrange
with the Vestry as he likes," said the vanman.

"But I am not M. Finsbury," expostulated the girl.

"It doesn't matter who you are," said the vanman.

"You must allow me to help you, Miss Hazeltine," said Gideon, putting
out his hand.

Julia gave a little cry of pleasure. "O, Mr. Forsyth," she cried, "I am
so glad to see you; we must get this horrid thing, which can only have
come here by mistake, into the house. The man says we'll have to take
off the door, or knock two of our windows into one, or be fined by the
Vestry or Custom House or something for leaving our parcels on the
pavement."

The men by this time had successfully removed the box from the van, had
plumped it down on the pavement, and now stood leaning against it, or
gazing at the door of No. 16, in visible physical distress and mental
embarrassment. The windows of the whole street had filled, as if by
magic, with interested and entertained spectators.

With as thoughtful and scientific an expression as he could assume,
Gideon measured the doorway with his cane, while Julia entered his
observations in a drawing-book. He then measured the box, and, upon
comparing his data, found that there was just enough space for it to
enter. Next throwing off his coat and waistcoat, he assisted the men to
take the door fr