that, Jack.
Never get into the way of talking about things that aren't your
business; there's been a deal of harm done by that.'

'Has there?'

Luke was silent. The boy continued:

'You're sure you _are_ friends with Miss Nancarrow?'

'Of course I am, capital friends. Why, we were both of us on the
Greenwich boat last Sunday, and we laughed and talked no end of time.'

But Luke was ready to leave the room. He appointed another evening when
Jack should come, and the lad scampered off.

Leaving Ackroyd to go down and have supper with his sister and Lydia,
and with Mr. Poole, who had just come home from a late job, let us go
after Jack into Newport Street. As he reached the house, his father was
just coming out.

'You're too late,' said the latter, with a shake of the head. 'Tell Mr.
Ackroyd you must be back by nine. What about your lessons, eh?'

'Lessons!' exclaimed Jack, scornfully. 'Do them in half a crack before
breakfast. Why, there's nothing but a bit of jography, and some kings,
and three proportion sums, and a page of----'

'All right. Go to bed quietly. Nelly's asleep long ago. I shall be back
in half an hour.'

Jack went very softly upstairs. In the one room which was still the
entire home of his father and himself and his little sister, he found a
lamp burning low. The child was in her small cot, sleeping peacefully.
Jack began to unbutton his acid-stained waistcoat, having seized a
piece of bread and butter that lay waiting for him, when his thoughts
intervened to suspend the operation of undressing. He left the room
again, and looked at the door on the opposite side of the landing. He
saw a light beneath it. He advanced and rapped softly.

'Who's that?' was asked from within.

'You ain't in bed yet, Miss Nancarrow, are you?' Jack asked, with the
frankness of expression which became his age.

The door opened, and Totty appeared, able to receive visitors still
with perfect propriety.

'What is it, Jacky?'

The lad was munching his bread and butter.

'You haven't got a spoonful of that jam left, have you, Miss
Nancarrow?' he asked, with a mixture of confidence and shamefacedness.

Totty laughed.

'I dare say I have. But this is a nice time to come asking for jam.
Isn't your father in?'

'Gone out. Says he'll be half an hour. Plenty of time, Miss Nancarrow.

'Come in then.'

Totty closed the door, and produced from her cupboard--a receptacle
regarded with profound interest both by Nell