arty shake of the hand, and ask him sociably how he had
been getting on. This was obviously out of the question; but, just then,
little Tommy Dudgeon happened to come up, on his way into the station.
Here was an opportunity not to be let slip, and "Cobbler" Horn seized with
avidity on his humble little friend, and gave him the hearty hand-shake
which he would fain have bestowed upon the high and mighty Bounder. It was
a means of grace to "the Golden Shoemaker" once more to clasp the hand of
a compatriot and a friend. He stood talking to Tommy for a few minutes,
while Bounder waited in his seat with an expression of very slightly
veiled scorn on his majestic face.

At length, quite oblivious of the contemptuous disapproval of his
coachman, and greatly refreshed in spirit, "Cobbler" Horn bade his little
friend "good day," and mounted to his seat.

They drove off in silence. "Cobbler" Horn scarcely knew whether his
exacting coachman would think it proper for his master to enter into
conversation with him; and the coachman, on his part, would not be guilty
of such a breach of decorum as to speak to his master when his master had
not first spoken to him.

Miss Jemima was standing in the doorway to receive her brother; and behind
her, with a radiant face, modestly waited the young secretary. Miss Jemima
presented her cheek, as though for the performance of a surgical
operation, and "Cobbler" Horn kissed it with a hearty smack. At the
same time he grasped her hand.

"Well, Jemima," he exclaimed, "I'm back again safe and sound, you see!"

"Yes," was the solemn response, "I'm thankful to see you, brother,--and
relieved."

"Cobbler" Horn laughed heartily, and kissed her on the other cheek.

"Thankful enough, Jemima, let us be. But 'relieved'! well, I had no fear.
You see, my dear sister, the whole round world lies in the hand of God.
And, then, I didn't understand the way the Lord has been dealing with me
of late to mean that he was going to allow me to be cut off quite so soon
as that."

This was said cheerily, and not at all in a preaching tone; and having
said it, "Cobbler" Horn turned, with genuine pleasure, to exchange a
genial greeting with his young secretary, who had remained sedately in
the background.

"Dinner is almost ready," said Miss Jemima, as they entered the house;
"so you must not spend long in your room."

"I promise you," said her brother, from the stairs, "that I shall be at
the table almost as so