miniscences and
prospects into the willing ears of the little old lady, who was so very
small that Bob seemed quite a big man by contrast. He had to roar
almost as loud as the cataract to make her hear, but he was well
rewarded. The old lady, it is true, did not speak much, perhaps because
she understood little, but she expressed enough of sympathy, by means of
nods, and winks with her brilliant black eyes, and smiles with her
toothless mouth, to satisfy any boy of moderate expectations.

And Bobby _was_ satisfied. So, also, were the other waifs and strays,
not only with old granny, but with everything in and around their home
in the New World.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

TREATS OF ALTERED CIRCUMSTANCES AND BLUE-RIBBONISM.

Once again we return to the great city, and to Mrs Frog's poor lodging.

But it is not poor now, for the woman has at last got riches and joy--
such riches as the ungodly care not for, and a joy that they cannot
understand.

It is not all riches and joy, however. The Master has told us that we
shall have "much tribulation." What then? Are we worse off than the
unbelievers? Do _they_ escape the tribulation? It is easy to prove
that the Christian has the advantage of the worldling, for, while both
have worries and tribulation without fail, the one has a little joy
along with these--nay, much joy if you choose--which, however, will end
with life, if not before; while the other has joy unspeakable and full
of glory, which will increase with years, and end in absolute felicity!

Let us look at Mrs Frog's room now, and listen to her as she sits on
one side of a cheerful fire, sewing, while Hetty sits on the other side,
similarly occupied, and Matty, _alias_ Mita, lies in her crib sound
asleep.

It is the same room, the same London atmosphere, which no moral
influence will ever purify, and pretty much the same surroundings, for
Mrs Frog's outward circumstances have not altered much in a worldly
point of view. The neighbours in the court are not less filthy and
violent. One drunken nuisance has left the next room, but another
almost as bad has taken his place. Nevertheless, although not altered
much, things are decidedly improved in the poor pitiful dwelling.
Whereas, in time past, it used to be dirty, now it is clean. The table
is the same table, obviously, for you can see the crack across the top
caused by Ned's great fist on that occasion when, failing rather in
force of argument while