ship would be ready again for another trip early in
the following year; and so, bidding my mess-mates a cordial farewell, I
was soon in a train on my way to Westham once more, with "Dick" the
starling in a bran new wicker cage I had bought for him at Shanghai, as
well as my sea-chest packed full of presents for the home-folk and
everybody.

It was late in the afternoon of Christmas-eve when I reached the old
well-known little station, which seemed to look ever so much smaller
than when I left; and the very first person I saw whom I knew--none of
my people coming to meet me, as they did not know when I would arrive,
not expecting me indeed until the next morning--was Lawyer Sharpe, as
ferrety-looking as ever!

He gave me a hearty greeting, however, saying he was glad to see me back
again, and to have "ocular demonstration," as he expressed it, that I
had not been lost at sea as was reported; so, I recalled what father had
said when I had turned up my nose at the legal profession, and thought
Mr Sharpe no doubt was misjudged by a good many, and might not be
altogether such a tricky customer as the Westham folks made out.

Leaving my traps at the station to be sent on by a porter, only taking
Dick's cage with me, I was soon trotting along through the village,
passing old Doctor Jollop on my way. He, too, was the very same as
ever, without the slightest alteration, muddy boots and all; for,
although there was a little sprinkling of snow on the ground, as
befitted the season, it had thawed in the streets of Westham, and as a
matter of course the doctor, who always appeared to choose the very
muddiest of places to tramp in, had managed to collect as much of the
mire as he could on his boots and legs.

But, mud or no mud, he was a jolly kind old fellow, and more really
pleased again to see me than--even with the most charitable feelings I
must say it--Lawyer Sharpe pretended to be.

"Just back in time, Allan, for the plum-pudding," he called out on
seeing me. "Eh, my boy, eh?"

"Yes, sir," said I, laughing as I shook hands with him. "Just in time
for it."

"And the pills, too," he added, chuckling as he went into a cottage
close by. "And the pills, too; you mustn't forget them."

Nasty old fellow, as if I wished to be reminded of anything so
disagreeable at such a moment!

The next instant, however, I was at the vicarage gate, when Nellie, who
was on the watch, although as I've said I was not expected till next