"platform"; with a pole in the centre through which ran a spindle.
On this metal plate lay a new cast wheel, and the wright with a
bar screwed a nut so as to hold the cart-wheel down firmly on the
"platform."

"Now, boy, the pincers!"

Then he, grasping a long pair of forceps, his apprentice with
another, laid hold of the glowing tire, and raising it from the
fire carried it scintillating to the wheel, lifted it over the
spindle, and dropped it about the woodwork. Then, at once, they
seized huge hammers and began to belabor the tire, to drive it
on to the wheel, which smoked and flamed.

"Water, boy, water!"

The apprentice threw water from a pitcher over the tire throughout
its circumference, dulling its fire, and producing clouds of steam.

Mehetabel, well aware that at this juncture the wright must not be
interfered with, drew close to the fire, and kneeling by it warmed
herself and the sleeping child, whilst she watched the sturdy men
whirling their hammers and beating the tire down into place around
the wheel.

At length the wright desisted. He leaned on his great hammer; and
then Mehetabel timidly addressed him.

"Please, Mr. Puttenham, are you not Guardian of the Poor?"

"Certainly, Mrs. Kink."

"May I be put in the Poors' House?"

"You!"

The wheelwright opened his eyes very wide.

"Yes, Mr. Puttenham, I have no home."

"Why, Matabel! What is the sense of this? Your home is in the
Punch-Bowl."

"I have left it."

"Then you must return to it again."

"I cannot. Take me into the Poors' House."

"My good girl, this is rank nonsense. The Poor House is not for
you, or such as you."

"I need its shelter more than most. I have no home."

"Are you gone off your head?"

"No, sir. My mind is sound, but to the Punch-Bowl I cannot, and
will not, return. No, never!"

"Matabel," said the wheelwright, "I suppose you and Jonas have had
a quarrel. Bless you! Such things happen in married life, over and
over again, and you'll come together and love each other all the
better for these tiffs. I know it by experience."

"I cannot go back! I will not go back!"

"It is not cannot or will not--it is a case of must. That is your
home. But this I will do for you. Go in and ask my old woman to
let you have some breakfast, and I'll send Jack"--he signed to his
apprentice--"and bid him tell Bideabout where you are, and let
him fetch you. We mustn't have a scandal."

"If Jonas comes, I shall run away."