luxuries as far as he himself was concerned. Nor did he
feel any disgrace from being locked up for the night. He was very
good-humoured with the policeman, who seemed perfectly to understand
his nature, and was as meek as a child when the lock was turned upon
him. As he lay down on the hard bench, he comforted himself with
thinking that Ruby would surely never care any more for the 'baronite'
since she had seen him go down like a cur without striking a blow. He
thought a good deal about Ruby, but never attributed any blame to her
for her share in the evils that had befallen him.

The next morning he was taken before the magistrates, but was told at
an early hour of the day that he was again free. Sir Felix was not
much the worse for what had happened to him, and had refused to make
any complaint against the man who had beaten him. John Crumb shook
hands cordially with the policeman who had had him in charge, and
suggested beer. The constable, with regrets, was forced to decline,
and bade adieu to his late prisoner with the expression of a hope that
they might meet again before long. 'You come down to Bungay,' said
John, 'and I'll show you how we live there.'

From the police-office he went direct to Mrs Pipkin's house, and at
once asked for Ruby. He was told that Ruby was out with the children,
and was advised both by Mrs Pipkin and Mrs Hurtle not to present
himself before Ruby quite yet. 'You see,' said Mrs Pipkin, 'she's a
thinking how heavy you were upon that young gentleman.'

'But I wasn't;--not particular. Lord love you, he ain't a hair the
wuss.'

'You let her alone for a time,' said Mrs Hurtle. 'A little neglect
will do her good.'

'Maybe,' said John,--'only I wouldn't like her to have it bad. You'll
let her have her wittles regular, Mrs Pipkin.'

It was then explained to him that the neglect proposed should not
extend to any deprivation of food, and he took his leave, receiving an
assurance from Mrs Hurtle that he should be summoned to town as soon
as it was thought that his presence there would serve his purposes;
and with loud promises repeated to each of the friendly women that as
soon as ever a 'line should be dropped' he would appear again upon the
scene, he took Mrs Pipkin aside, and suggested that if there were 'any
hextras,' he was ready to pay for them. Then he took his leave without
seeing Ruby, and went back to Bungay.

When Ruby returned with the children she was told that John Crumb had
c