d to let me live with
him."

"He won't suffer for it, I'll be bound," said Mrs. Bradshaw, archly.

"So far as money goes he won't," said the old man. "Not that that would
make any difference to George."

"It would be the same to me if you hadn't got a farthing," said Mr.
Wright, promptly.

[Illustration: "It'll do to go on with," he said]

Mr. Kemp, somewhat affected, shook hands with him, and leaning back in
the most comfortable chair in the room, described his life and struggles
in New Zealand. Hard work, teetotalism, and the simple life combined
appeared to be responsible for a fortune which he affected to be too old
to enjoy. Misunderstandings of a painful nature were avoided by a timely
admission that under medical advice he was now taking a fair amount of
stimulant.

[Illustration: "'Ow much did you say you'd got in the bank?"]

"Mind," he said, as he walked home with the elated George, "it's your
game, not mine, and it's sure to come a bit expensive. I can't be a rich
uncle without spending a bit. 'Ow much did you say you'd got in the
bank?"

"We must be as careful as we can," said Mr. Wright, hastily. "One thing
is they can't leave the shop to go out much. It's a very good little
business, and it ought to be all right for me and Bella one of these
days, eh?"

Mr. Kemp, prompted by a nudge in the ribs, assented. "It's wonderful how
they took it all in about me," he said; "but I feel certain in my own
mind that I ought to chuck some money about."

"Tell 'em of the money you have chucked about," said Mr. Wright. "It'll
do just as well, and come a good deal cheaper. And you had better go
round alone to-morrow evening. It'll look better. Just go in for
another one of their sixpenny cigars."

Mr. Kemp obeyed, and the following evening, after sitting a little while
chatting in the shop, was invited into the parlour, where, mindful of Mr.
Wright's instructions, he held his listeners enthralled by tales of past
expenditure. A tip of fifty pounds to his bedroom steward coming over
was characterized by Mrs. Bradshaw as extravagant.

"Seems to be going all right," said Mr. Wright, as the old man made his
report; "but be careful; don't go overdoing it."

Mr. Kemp nodded. "I can turn 'em round my little finger," he said.
"You'll have Bella all to yourself to-morrow evening."

Mr. Wright flushed. "How did you manage that?" he inquired. "It's the
first time she has ever been out with me alone.