arious acquaintances, and bade them adieu,
announcing their intention to set off on the circuit. Spikeman paid up
everything, and put away many articles in his room which had been taken
out for use. Joey and he then put on their travelling garments, and,
waiting till it was dusk, locked the chambers and set off to the little
public-house, where the knife-grinder's wheel had been deposited.
Spikeman had taken the precaution to smudge and dirty his face, and
Joey, at his request, had done the same. When they entered the
public-house, the landlord greeted Spikeman warmly, and asked him what
he had been about. Spikeman replied that, as usual, he had been to see
his old mother, and now he must roll his grindstone a bit. After
drinking a pot of beer at the kitchen fire, they retired to bed; and the
next morning, at daylight, they once more proceeded on their travels.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

IN WHICH THE TINKER FALLS IN LOVE WITH A LADY OF HIGH DEGREE.

For many months Spikeman and our hero travelled together, during which
time Joey had learnt to grind a knife or a pair of scissors as well as
Spikeman himself, and took most of the work off his hands; they suited
each other, and passed their time most pleasantly, indulging themselves
every day with a few hours' repose and reading on the wayside.

One afternoon, when it was very sultry, they had stopped and ensconced
themselves in a shady copse by the side of the road, not far from an old
mansion, which stood on an eminence, when Spikeman said, "Joey, I think
we are intruding here; and, if so, may be forcibly expelled, which will
not be pleasant; so roll the wheel in, out of sight, and then we may
indulge in a siesta, which, during this heat, will be very agreeable."

"What's a siesta?" said Joey.

"A siesta is a nap in the middle of the day, universally resorted to by
the Spaniards, Italians, and, indeed, by all the inhabitants of hot
climates; with respectable people it is called a siesta, but with a
travelling tinker it must be, I suppose, called a snooze."

"Well, then, a snooze let it be," said Joey, taking his seat on the turf
by Spikeman, in a reclining position.

They had not yet composed themselves to sleep, when they heard a female
voice singing at a little distance. The voice evidently proceeded from
the pleasure-grounds which were between them and the mansion.

"Hush!" said Spikeman, putting up his finger, as he raised himself on
his elbow.

The p