object to Short," she says, "but
I cotton to Codlin." Once,' said that gentleman reflectively, 'she
called me Father Codlin. I thought I should have bust!'

'A man of the name of Jerry, sir,' said Short, turning from his selfish
colleague to their new acquaintance, 'wot keeps a company of dancing
dogs, told me, in a accidental sort of way, that he had seen the old
gentleman in connexion with a travelling wax-work, unbeknown to him.
As they'd given us the slip, and nothing had come of it, and this was
down in the country that he'd been seen, I took no measures about it,
and asked no questions--But I can, if you like.'

'Is this man in town?' said the impatient single gentleman. 'Speak
faster.'

'No he isn't, but he will be to-morrow, for he lodges in our house,'
replied Mr Short rapidly.

'Then bring him here,' said the single gentleman. 'Here's a sovereign
a-piece. If I can find these people through your means, it is but a
prelude to twenty more. Return to me to-morrow, and keep your own
counsel on this subject--though I need hardly tell you that; for you'll
do so for your own sakes. Now, give me your address, and leave me.'

The address was given, the two men departed, the crowd went with them,
and the single gentleman for two mortal hours walked in uncommon
agitation up and down his room, over the wondering heads of Mr
Swiveller and Miss Sally Brass.

CHAPTER 38

Kit--for it happens at this juncture, not only that we have breathing
time to follow his fortunes, but that the necessities of these
adventures so adapt themselves to our ease and inclination as to call
upon us imperatively to pursue the track we most desire to take--Kit,
while the matters treated of in the last fifteen chapters were yet in
progress, was, as the reader may suppose, gradually familiarising
himself more and more with Mr and Mrs Garland, Mr Abel, the pony, and
Barbara, and gradually coming to consider them one and all as his
particular private friends, and Abel Cottage, Finchley, as his own
proper home.

Stay--the words are written, and may go, but if they convey any notion
that Kit, in the plentiful board and comfortable lodging of his new
abode, began to think slightingly of the poor fare and furniture of his
old dwelling, they do their office badly and commit injustice. Who so
mindful of those he left at home--albeit they were but a mother and two
young babies--as Kit? What boastful father in the fulness of his heart