to take back to school! A
revolver to fire in picked places on the slow walks with a slow companion
which were all the exercise this unfortunate fellow could take! A
revolver and cartridges complete, so that one could try it now, in no
time, with Guy and Vivian at the end of their garden in St. John's Wood
Park! And all very likely for five bob if one bargained a bit!

Pocket took out his purse and saw what a hole the expenditure of any such
sum would make. But what was that if it filled a gap in his life? Of
coure it would have been breaking a school rule, but he was prepared to
take the consequences if found out; it need not involve his notion of
dishonour. Still, it must be recorded that the young or old ass was
conscientious enough to hesitate before making his fatal plunge into the
pawnbroker's shop.

A BOY ABOUT TOWN

The young Westminsters had not come in when Pocket finally cast up in St.
John's Wood Park. But their mother was at home, and she gave the boy a
cup of tepid tea out of a silver tea-pot in the drawing-room. Mrs. Knaggs
was a large lady who spoke her mind with much freedom, at all events to
the young. She remarked how much Upton (so she addressed him) had
altered; but her tone left Pocket in doubt as to whether any improvement
was implied. She for one did not approve of his luncheon in Oxford
Street, much less of the way he had spent a summer's afternoon; indeed,
she rather wondered at his being allowed alone in London at all. Pocket,
who could sometimes shine in conversation with his elders, at once
reminded Mrs. Knaggs that her own Westminster boys were allowed alone in
London every day of their lives. But Mrs. Knaggs said that was a very
different thing, and that she thought Pocket's public school must be very
different from Westminster. Pocket bridled, but behaved himself; he knew
where he wanted to stay the night, and got as far towards inviting himself
as to enlarge upon Mr. Coverley's misfortune and his own disappointment.
Mrs. Knaggs in her turn did ask him where he meant to and even the
conscientious Pocket caught himself declaring he had no idea. Then the
boys were heard returning, and Mrs. Knaggs said of course he would stop to
schoolroom supper, and Pocket thanked her as properly as though it were
the invitation he made sure must follow. After all, Vivian Knaggs had
stayed at Pocket's three weeks one Christmas, and Guy a fortnight at
Easter; the boys themselves