“When word came to Mr. Carthew's ears, the turn up was 'orrible,” continued Mr. Higgs. “I remember it as if it was yesterday. The bell was rung after her la'ship was gone, which I answered it myself, supposing it were the coffee. There was Mr. Carthew on his feet. '’Iggs,' he says, pointing with his stick, for he had a turn of the gout, 'order the dog-cart instantly for this son of mine which has disgraced hisself.' Mr. Norris say nothink: he sit there with his 'ead down, making belief to be looking at a walnut. You might have bowled me over with a straw,” said Mr. Higgs.
“Had he done anything very bad?” I asked.
“Not he, Mr. Dodsley!” cried the lady—it was so she had conceived my name. “He never did anythink to all really wrong in his poor life. The 'ole affair was a disgrace. It was all rank favouritising.”
“Mrs. 'Iggs! Mrs. 'Iggs!” cried the butler warningly.
“Well, what do I care?” retorted the lady, shaking her ringlets. “You know it was yourself, Mr. 'Iggs, and so did every member of the staff.”
While I was getting these facts and opinions, I by no means neglected the child. She was not attractive; but fortunately she had reached the corrupt age of seven, when half a crown appears about as large as a saucer and is fully as rare as the dodo. For a shilling down, sixpence in her money-box, and an American gold dollar which I happened to find in my pocket, I bought the creature soul and body. She declared her intention to accompany me to the ends of the earth; and had to be chidden by her sire for drawing comparisons between myself and her uncle William, highly damaging to the latter.
Dinner was scarce done, the cloth was not yet removed, when Miss Agnes must needs climb into my lap with her stamp album, a relic of the generosity of Uncle William. There are few things I despise more
