that it had
to be wiped over with a wet leather by Buddy; and when that was done, he
tried to back the cab into a narrow stable door. After that, though, he
seemed better, and began to go in a straight line.

"Tried that there game at a plate-glass winder t'other day," said Sam,
shouting over his shoulder as he left the yard. "He'd ha' done it, too,
if it hadn't been for a lamp-post."

Sam and his steed went gently out of Grey's Inn Lane towards
Pentonville, where, in a little quiet street, Mrs Jenkles resided, and
Sam began musing as he went along--

"I smelt that there stuff in the cupboard, and meant to ask her what it
was, but I forgot. On'y to think of her making that up, and taking it
to poor Buddy's little bairn! Well, she's a good sort, is the missus,
on'y she will be so hard on me about a drop o' beer. 'Old that there
'ead still, will yer? What are yer lookin' arter, there? Oh! that
cats-meat barrer. Ah! yer may well shy at that, Ratty; I don't wonder
at it. Now, then, get on, old boy, the missus 'll be waiting."

On reaching Spring Place, where Sam dwelt, the horse objected. He was
sawing along in a straightforward way, when Sam drew one rein, with the
consequence that the horse's head came round, his long neck bending till
the animal's face was gazing at him in a dejected, lachrymose fashion:
Ratty seeming to say, as plainly as looks would express it, "What are
you doing?" while all the time the legs went straight forward up
Pentonville Hill.

They had got twenty yards past Spring Place before Sam could pull the
horse up; and then he had to get down to take it by the head and turn it
in a very ignominious fashion.

"Jest opposite a public, too," said Sam. "I never did see such a
haggravating beast as you are, Ratty. Here, come along. It aint no
wonder as fellows drinks, with a place offering 'em the stuff every five
minutes of their lives, and when they've got a Ratty to lead 'em right
up to it. Come on, will yer?"

Mrs Jenkles was standing at the door ready, in a blue bonnet and red
Paisley shawl--for she was a woman of her word. She had said that she
would go up and see those people, and Sam had promised to drive her.

Volume 1, Chapter X.

GOING THE ROUNDS.

Fin was quite right. They had not gone above a couple of hundred yards
down the lane, with Mr Mervyn between them, swinging his empty soup
tin, when they became aware of a loud whistling, as of some one
practising a polka.