santest smile; 'and
have no time to lose. Your hopes don't soar higher than that? I dare
say they don't. I know you, pretty well. They'll be soaring out of sight
soon, Martin, and leaving all the rest of us leagues behind.'

'Aye! But I may be a little changed,' said Martin, 'since you knew me
pretty well, Tom.'

'What nonsense!' exclaimed Tom. 'Why should you be changed? You talk
as if you were an old man. I never heard such a fellow! Come to John
Westlock's, come. Come along, Mark Tapley. It's Mark's doing, I have
no doubt; and it serves you right for having such a grumbler for your
companion.'

'There's no credit to be got through being jolly with YOU, Mr Pinch,
anyways,' said Mark, with his face all wrinkled up with grins. 'A parish
doctor might be jolly with you. There's nothing short of goin' to the
U-nited States for a second trip, as would make it at all creditable to
be jolly, arter seein' you again!'

Tom laughed, and taking leave of his sister, hurried Mark and Martin out
into the street, and away to John Westlock's by the nearest road; for
his hour of business was very near at hand, and he prided himself on
always being exact to his time.

John Westlock was at home, but, strange to say, was rather embarrassed
to see them; and when Tom was about to go into the room where he
was breakfasting, said he had a stranger there. It appeared to be a
mysterious stranger, for John shut that door as he said it, and led them
into the next room.

He was very much delighted, though, to see Mark Tapley; and received
Martin with his own frank courtesy. But Martin felt that he did not
inspire John Westlock with any unusual interest; and twice or
thrice observed that he looked at Tom Pinch doubtfully; not to say
compassionately. He thought, and blushed to think, that he knew the
cause of this.

'I apprehend you are engaged,' said Martin, when Tom had announced the
purport of their visit. 'If you will allow me to come again at your own
time, I shall be glad to do so.'

'I AM engaged,' replied John, with some reluctance; 'but the matter on
which I am engaged is one, to say the truth, more immediately demanding
your knowledge than mine.'

'Indeed!' cried Martin.

'It relates to a member of your family, and is of a serious nature. If
you will have the kindness to remain here, it will be a satisfaction to
me to have it privately communicated to you, in order that you may judge
of its importance for yourself.'

'And i