rics, and from which hysterics into a swoon again, and is, indeed,
so bad, that despite a mortal quantity of vinegar and cold water she is
hardly a bit better at last than she was at first. Then, Kit's mother
comes in and says, will he come and speak to her; and Kit says 'Yes,'
and goes; and he says in a kind voice 'Barbara!' and Barbara's mother
tells her that 'it's only Kit;' and Barbara says (with her eyes closed
all the time) 'Oh! but is it him indeed?' and Barbara's mother says 'To
be sure it is, my dear; there's nothing the matter now.' And in
further assurance that he's safe and sound, Kit speaks to her again;
and then Barbara goes off into another fit of laughter, and then into
another fit of crying; and then Barbara's mother and Kit's mother nod
to each other and pretend to scold her--but only to bring her to
herself the faster, bless you!--and being experienced matrons, and
acute at perceiving the first dawning symptoms of recovery, they
comfort Kit with the assurance that 'she'll do now,' and so dismiss him
to the place from whence he came.

Well! In that place (which is the next room) there are decanters of
wine, and all that sort of thing, set out as grand as if Kit and his
friends were first-rate company; and there is little Jacob, walking, as
the popular phrase is, into a home-made plum-cake, at a most surprising
pace, and keeping his eye on the figs and oranges which are to follow,
and making the best use of his time, you may believe. Kit no sooner
comes in, than that single gentleman (never was such a busy gentleman)
charges all the glasses--bumpers--and drinks his health, and tells him
he shall never want a friend while he lives; and so does Mr Garland,
and so does Mrs Garland, and so does Mr Abel. But even this honour and
distinction is not all, for the single gentleman forthwith pulls out of
his pocket a massive silver watch--going hard, and right to half a
second--and upon the back of this watch is engraved Kit's name, with
flourishes all over; and in short it is Kit's watch, bought expressly
for him, and presented to him on the spot. You may rest assured that
Mr and Mrs Garland can't help hinting about their present, in store,
and that Mr Abel tells outright that he has his; and that Kit is the
happiest of the happy.

There is one friend he has not seen yet, and as he cannot be
conveniently introduced into the family circle, by reason of his being
an iron-shod quadruped, Kit takes the first