Couldyouletmelookatit？\"
ShelaidherfrozencoldhanduponmineandshelookedthroughmewhenIwasforcedtolookupfrommyneedlework，butIhadtakentheprecautionofhavingonmyspectacles。
\"Ihavenoreceipt\"saysshe。
\"Ah！Thenhehasgotit\"Isaysinacarelessway。\"It’sofnogreatconsequence。Areceipt’sareceipt。\"
FromthattimeshealwayshadholdofmyhandwhenIcouldspareitwhichwasgenerallyonlywhenIreadtoher，forofcoursesheandmehadourbitsofneedleworktoplodatandneitherofuswasveryhandyatthoselittlethings，thoughIamstillratherproudofmyshareinthemtooconsidering。AndthoughshetooktoallIreadtoher，IusedtofancythatnexttowhatwastaughtupontheMountshetookmostofalltoHisgentlecompassionforuspoorwomenandtoHisyounglifeandtohowHismotherwasproudofHimandtreasuredHissayingsinherheart。Shehadagratefullookinhereyesthatneverneverneverwillbeoutofmineuntiltheyareclosedinmylastsleep，andwhenIchancedtolookatherwithoutthinkingofitIwouldalwaysmeetthatlook，andshewouldoftenoffermehertremblingliptokiss，muchmorelikealittleaffectionatehalfbroken—heartedchildthaneverIcanimagineanygrownperson。
OnetimethetremblingofthispoorlipwassostrongandhertearsrandownsofastthatIthoughtshewasgoingtotellmeallherwoe，soItakeshertwohandsinmineandIsays：
\"Nomydearnotnow，youhadbestnottrytodoitnow。Waitforbettertimeswhenyouhavegotoverthisandarestrong，andthenyoushalltellmewhateveryouwill。Shallitbeagreed？\"
Withourhandsstilljoinedshenoddedherheadmanytimes，andsheliftedmyhandsandputthemtoherlipsandtoherbosom。\"Onlyonewordnowmydear\"Isays。\"Isthereanyone？\"
Shelookedinquiringly\"Anyone？\"
\"ThatIcangoto？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"NoonethatIcanbring？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"NooneiswantedbyMEmydear。Nowthatmaybeconsideredpastandgone。\"
Notmuchmorethanaweekafterwards——forthiswasfaroninthetimeofourbeingsotogether——Iwasbendingoveratherbedsidewithmyeardowntoherlips，byturnslisteningforherbreathandlookingforasignoflifeinherface。Atlastitcameinasolemnway——notinaflashbutlikeakindofpalefaintlightbroughtveryslowtotheface。
Shesaidsomethingtomethathadnosoundinit，butIsawsheaskedme：
\"Isthisdeath？\"
AndIsays：
\"Poordearpoordear，Ithinkitis。\"
Knowingsomehowthatshewantedmetomoveherweakrighthand，I
tookitandlaiditonherbreastandthenfoldedherotherhanduponit，andsheprayedagoodgoodprayerandIjoinedinitpoormethoughtherewerenowordsspoke。ThenIbroughtthebabyinitswrappersfromwhereitlay，andIsays：
\"Mydearthisissenttoachildlessoldwoman。Thisisformetotakecareof。\"
Thetremblinglipwasputuptowardsmyfaceforthelasttime，andIdearlykissedit。
\"Yesmydear，\"Isays。\"PleaseGod！MeandtheMajor。\"
Idon’tknowhowtotellitright，butIsawhersoulbrightenandleapup，andgetfreeandflyawayinthegratefullook。
***
SothisisthewhyandwhereforeofitscomingtopassmydearthatwecalledhimJemmy，beingaftertheMajorhisowngodfatherwithLirriperforasurnamebeingaftermyself，andneverwasadearchildsuchabrighteningthinginaLodgingsorsuchaplaymatetohisgrandmotherasJemmytothishouseandme，andalwaysgoodandmindingwhathewastold（uponthewhole）andsoothingforthetemperandmakingeverythingpleasanterexceptwhenhegrewoldenoughtodrophiscapdownWozenham’sAiryandtheywouldn’thandituptohim，andbeingworkedintoastateIputonmybestbonnetandglovesandparasolwiththechildinmyhandandIsays\"MissWozenhamIlittlethoughtevertohaveenteredyourhousebutunlessmygrandson’scapisinstantlyrestored，thelawsofthiscountryregulatingthepropertyoftheSubjectshallatlengthdecidebetwixtyourselfandme，costwhatitmay。\"WithasneeruponherfacewhichdidstrikemeImustsayasbeingexpressiveoftwokeysbutitmayhavebeenamistakeandifthereisanydoubtletMissWozenhamhavethefullbenefitofitasisbutright，sherangthebellandshesays\"Jane，isthereastreet—child’soldcapdownourAiry？\"Isays\"MissWozenhambeforeyourhousemaidanswersthatquestionyoumustallowmetoinformyoutoyourfacethatmygrandsonisNOTastreet—childandisNOTinthehabitofwearingoldcaps。Infact\"Isays\"MissWozenhamIamfarfromsurethatmygrandson’scapmaynotbenewerthanyourown\"whichwasperfectlysavageinme，herlacebeingthecommonestmachine—makewashedandtornbesides，butIhadbeenputintoastatetobeginwithfomentedbyimpertinence。MissWozenhamsaysredintheface\"Janeyouheardmyquestion，isthereanychild’scapdownourAiry？\"\"YesMa’am\"
saysJane，\"IthinkIdidseesomesuchrubbisha—lyingthere。\"
\"Then\"saysMissWozenham\"letthesevisitorsout，andthenthrowupthatworthlessarticleoutofmypremises。\"ButherethechildwhohadbeenstaringatMissWozenhamwithallhiseyesandmore，frownsdownhislittleeyebrowspursesuphislittlemouthputshischubbylegsfarapartturnshislittledimpledfistsroundandroundslowlyoveroneanotherlikealittlecoffee—mill，andsaystoher\"OoimpdenttomiGran，metutoorhi！\"\"O！\"saysMissWozenhamlookingdownscornfullyattheMite\"thisisnotastreet—childisitnot！
Really！\"IburstsoutlaughingandIsays\"MissWozenhamifthisain’taprettysighttoyouIdon’tenvyyourfeelingsandIwishyougood—day。JemmycomealongwithGran。\"AndIwasstillinthebestofhumoursthoughhiscapcameflyingupintothestreetasifithadbeenjustturnedonoutofthewater—plug，andIwenthomelaughingalltheway，allowingtothatdearboy。
ThemilesandmilesthatmeandtheMajorhavetravelledwithJemmyintheduskbetweenthelightsarenottobecalculated，Jemmydrivingonthecoach—boxwhichistheMajor’sbrass—boundwritingdeskonthetable，meinsideintheeasy—chairandtheMajorGuardupbehindwithabrown—paperhorndoingitreallywonderful。IdoassureyoumydearthatsometimeswhenIhavetakenafewwinksinmyplaceinsidethecoachandhavecomehalfawakebytheflashinglightofthefireandhaveheardthatpreciouspetdrivingandtheMajorblowingupbehindtohavethechangeofhorsesreadywhenwegottotheInn，IhavehalfbelievedwewereontheoldNorthRoadthatmypoorLirriperknewsowell。ThentoseethatchildandtheMajorbothwrappedupgettingdowntowarmtheirfeetandgoingstampingaboutandhavingglassesofaleoutofthepapermatchboxesonthechimney—pieceistoseetheMajorenjoyingitfullyasmuchasthechildIamverysure，andit’sequaltoanyplaywhenCoacheeopensthecoach—doortolookinatmeinsideandsay\"Wery’pastthat’tage。——’Prightenedoldlady？\"
ButwhatmyinexpressiblefeelingswerewhenwelostthatchildcanonlybecomparedtotheMajor’swhichwerenotashadebetter，throughhisstrayingoutatfiveyearsoldandeleveno’clockintheforenoonandneverheardofbywordorsignordeedtillhalf—pastnineatnight，whentheMajorhadgonetotheEditoroftheTimesnewspapertoputinanadvertisement，whichcameoutnextdayfour—
and—twentyhoursafterhewasfound，andwhichImeanalwayscarefullytokeepinmylavenderdrawerasthefirstprintedaccountofhim。Themorethedaygoton，themoreIgotdistractedandtheMajortooandbothofusmadeworsebythecomposedwaysofthepolicethoughverycivilandobligingandwhatImustcalltheirobstinacyinnotentertainingtheideathathewasstolen。\"WemostlyfindMum\"saysthesergeantwhocameroundtocomfortme，whichhedidn’tatallandhehadbeenoneoftheprivateconstablesinCaroline’stimetowhichhereferredinhisopeningwordswhenhesaid\"Don’tgivewaytouneasinessinyourmindMum，it’llallcomeasrightasmynosedidwhenIgotthesamebarkedbythatyoungwomaninyoursecondfloor\"——saysthissergeant\"wemostlyfindMumaspeopleain’tover—anxioustohavewhatImaycallsecond—handchildren。YOU’LLgethimbackMum。\"\"Obutmydeargoodsir\"I
saysclaspingmyhandsandwringingthemandclaspingthemagain\"heissuchanuncommonchild！\"\"YesMum\"saysthesergeant，\"wemostlyfindthattooMum。Thequestioniswhathisclotheswereworth。\"
\"Hisclothes\"Isays\"werenotworthmuchsirforhehadonlygothisplaying—dresson，butthedearchild！——\"\"AllrightMum\"saysthesergeant。\"You’llgethimbackMum。Andevenifhe’dhadhisbestclotheson，itwouldn’tcometoworsethanhisbeingfoundwrappedupinacabbage—leaf，ashiveringinalane。\"Hiswordspiercedmyheartlikedaggersanddaggers，andmeandtheMajorraninandoutlikewildthingsalldaylongtilltheMajorreturningfromhisinterviewwiththeEditoroftheTimesatnightrushesintomylittleroomhystericalandsqueezesmyhandandwipeshiseyesandsays\"Joyjoy——officerinplainclothescameuponthestepsasIwaslettingmyselfin——composeyourfeelings——Jemmy’sfound。\"
ConsequentlyIfaintedawayandwhenIcameto，embracedthelegsoftheofficerinplainclotheswhoseemedtobetakingakindofaquietinventoryinhismindofthepropertyinmylittleroomwithbrownwhiskers，andIsays\"BlessingsonyousirwhereistheDarling！\"andhesays\"InKenningtonStationHouse。\"IwasdroppingathisfeetStoneattheimageofthatInnocenceincellswithmurdererswhenheadds\"HefollowedtheMonkey。\"Isaysdeemingitslanglanguage\"OsirexplainforalovinggrandmotherwhatMonkey！\"
Hesays\"Himinthespangledcapwiththestrapunderthechin，aswon’tkeepon——himassweepsthecrossingsonaroundtableanddon’twanttodrawhissabremorethanhecanhelp。\"ThenI
understooditallandmostthankfullythankedhim，andmeandtheMajorandhimdroveovertoKenningtonandtherewefoundourboylyingquitecomfortablebeforeablazingfirehavingsweetlyplayedhimselftosleepuponasmallaccordionnothinglikesobigasaflat—ironwhichtheyhadbeensokindastolendhimforthepurposeandwhichitappearedhadbeenstoppeduponaveryyoungperson。
MydearthesystemuponwhichtheMajorcommencedandasImaysayperfectedJemmy’slearningwhenhewassosmallthatifthedearwasontheothersideofthetableyouhadtolookunderitinsteadofoverittoseehimwithhismother’sownbrighthairinbeautifulcurls，isathingthatoughttobeknowntotheThroneandLordsandCommonsandthenmightobtainsomepromotionfortheMajorwhichhewelldeservesandwouldbenonetheworsefor（speakingbetweenfriends）L。S。D。—ically。WhentheMajorfirstundertookhislearninghesaystome：
\"I’mgoingMadam，\"hesays\"tomakeourchildaCalculatingBoy。
\"Major，\"Isays，\"youterrifymeandmaydothepetapermanentinjuryyouwouldneverforgiveyourself。\"
\"Madam，\"saystheMajor，\"nexttomyregretthatwhenIhadmyboot—
spongeinmyhand，Ididn’tchokethatscoundrelwithit——onthespot——\"
\"There！ForGracious’sake，\"Iinterrupts，\"lethisconsciencefindhimwithoutsponges。\"
\"——Isaynexttothatregret，Madam，\"saystheMajor\"wouldbetheregretwithwhichmybreast，\"whichhetapped，\"wouldbesurchargedifthisfinemindwasnotearlycultivated。ButmarkmeMadam，\"
saystheMajorholdinguphisforefinger\"cultivatedonaprinciplethatwillmakeitadelight。\"
\"Major\"Isays\"IwillbecandidwithyouandtellyouopenlythatifeverIfindthedearchildfalloffinhisappetiteIshallknowitishiscalculationsandshallputastoptothemattwominutes’
notice。OrifIfindthemmountingtohishead\"Isays，\"orstrikinganywayscoldtohisstomachorleadingtoanythingapproachingflabbinessinhislegs，theresultwillbethesame，butMajoryouareaclevermanandhaveseenmuchandyoulovethechildandarehisowngodfather，andifyoufeelaconfidenceintryingtry。\"
\"SpokenMadam\"saystheMajor\"likeEmmaLirriper。AllIhavetoask，Madam，isthatyouwillleavemygodsonandmyselftomakeaweekortwo’spreparationsforsurprisingyou，andthatyouwillgivemeleavetohaveupanddownanysmallarticlesnotactuallyinusethatImayrequirefromthekitchen。\"
\"FromthekitchenMajor？\"Isayshalffeelingasifhehadamindtocookthechild。
\"Fromthekitchen\"saystheMajor，andsmilesandswells，andatthesametimelookstaller。
SoIpassedmywordandtheMajorandthedearboywereshutuptogetherforhalfanhouratatimethroughacertainwhile，andnevercouldIhearanythinggoingonbetwixtthembuttalkingandlaughingandJemmyclappinghishandsandscreamingoutnumbers，soIsaystomyself\"ithasnotharmedhimyet\"norcouldIonexaminingthedearfindanysignsofitanywhereabouthimwhichwaslikewiseagreatrelief。AtlastonedayJemmybringsmeacardinjokeintheMajor’sneatwriting\"TheMessrs。JemmyJackman\"forwehadgivenhimtheMajor’sothernametoo\"requestthehonourofMrs。
Lirriper’scompanyattheJackmanInstitutioninthefrontparlourthiseveningatfive，militarytime，towitnessafewslightfeatsofelementaryarithmetic。\"Andifyou’llbelievemethereinthefrontparlouratfivepunctualtothemomentwastheMajorbehindthePembroketablewithbothleavesupandalotofthingsfromthekitchentidilysetoutonoldnewspapersspreadatopofit，andtherewastheMitestooduponachairwithhisrosycheeksflushingandhiseyessparklingclustersofdiamonds。
\"NowGran\"sayshe，\"ootitdownanddon’tootouchlerpeople\"——forhesawwitheveryoneofthosediamondsofhisthatIwasgoingtogivehimasqueeze。
\"Verywellsir\"Isays\"IamobedientinthisgoodcompanyIamsure。\"AndIsitsdownintheeasy—chairthatwasputforme，shakingmysides。
ButpicturemyadmirationwhentheMajorgoingonalmostasquickasifhewasconjuringsetsoutallthearticleshenames，andsays\"Threesaucepans，anItalianiron，ahand—bell，atoasting—fork，anutmeg—grater，fourpotlids，aspice—box，twoegg—cups，andachopping—board——howmany？\"andwhenthatMiteinstantlycries\"Tifteen，tutdowntiveandcarryler’toppin—board\"andthenclapshishandsdrawsuphislegsanddancesonhischair。
MydearwiththesameastonishingeaseandcorrectnesshimandtheMajoraddedupthetableschairsandsofy，thepictersfendersandfire—ironstheirownselvesmeandthecatandtheeyesinMissWozenham’shead，andwheneverthesumwasdoneYoungRosesandDiamondsclapshishandsanddrawsuphislegsanddancesonhischair。
TheprideoftheMajor！（\"HERE’SamindMa’am！\"hesaystomebehindhishand。）
Thenhesaysaloud，\"Wenowcometothenextelementaryrule，——whichiscalled——\"
\"Umtraction！\"criesJemmy。
\"Right，\"saystheMajor。\"Wehavehereatoasting—fork，apotatoinitsnaturalstate，twopotlids，oneegg—cup，awoodenspoon，andtwoskewers，fromwhichitisnecessaryforcommercialpurposestosubtractasprat—gridiron，asmallpickle—jar，twolemons，onepepper—castor，ablackbeetle—trap，andaknobofthedresser—drawer—
—whatremains？\"
\"Toatin—fork！\"criesJemmy。
\"Innumbershowmany？\"saystheMajor。
\"One！\"criesJemmy。
（\"HERE’Saboy，Ma’am！\"saystheMajortomebehindhishand。）ThentheMajorgoeson：
\"Wenowapproachthenextelementaryrule，——whichisentitled——\"
\"Tickleication\"criesJemmy。
\"Correct\"saystheMajor。
Butmydeartorelatetoyouindetailthewayinwhichtheymultipliedfourteensticksoffirewoodbytwobitsofgingerandalardingneedle，ordividedprettywelleverythingelsetherewasonthetablebytheheateroftheItalianironandachambercandlestick，andgotalemonover，wouldmakemyheadspinroundandroundandroundasitdidatthetime。SoIsays\"ifyou’llexcusemyaddressingthechairProfessorJackmanIthinktheperiodofthelecturehasnowarrivedwhenitbecomesnecessarythatIshouldtakeagoodhugofthisyoungscholar。\"UponwhichJemmycallsoutfromhisstationonthechair，\"Granooopenoorarmsandme’llmakea’pringinto’em。\"SoIopenedmyarmstohimasIhadopenedmysorrowfulheartwhenhispooryoungmotherlayadying，andhehadhisjumpandwehadagoodlonghugtogetherandtheMajorprouderthananypeacocksaystomebehindhishand，\"YouneednotlethimknowitMadam\"（whichIcertainlyneednotfortheMajorwasquiteaudible）\"butheISaboy！\"
InthiswayJemmygrewandgrewandwenttoday—schoolandcontinuedundertheMajortoo，andinsummerwewereashappyasthedayswerelong，andinwinterwewereashappyasthedayswereshortandthereseemedtorestaBlessingontheLodgingsfortheyasgoodasLetthemselvesandwouldhavedoneitiftherehadbeentwicetheaccommodation，whensoreandhardagainstmywillIonedaysaystotheMajor。
\"MajoryouknowwhatIamgoingtobreaktoyou。Ourboymustgotoboarding—school。\"
ItwasasadsighttoseetheMajor’scountenancedrop，andIpitiedthegoodsoulwithallmyheart。
\"YesMajor\"Isays，\"thoughheisaspopularwiththeLodgersasyouareyourselfandthoughheistoyouandmewhatonlyyouandmeknow，stillitisinthecourseofthingsandLifeismadeofpartingsandwemustpartwithourPet。\"
BoldasIspoke，IsawtwoMajorsandhalf—a—dozenfireplaces，andwhenthepoorMajorputoneofhisneatbright—varnishedbootsuponthefenderandhiselbowonhiskneeandhisheaduponhishandandrockedhimselfalittletoandfro，Iwasdreadfullycutup。
\"But\"saysIclearingmythroat\"youhavesowellpreparedhimMajor——hehashadsuchaTutorinyou——thathewillhavenoneofthefirstdrudgerytogothrough。Andheissocleverbesidesthathe’llsoonmakehiswaytothefrontrank。\"
\"Heisaboy\"saystheMajor——havingsniffed——\"thathasnothislikeonthefaceoftheearth。\"
\"TrueasyousayMajor，anditisnotforusmerelyforourownsakestodoanythingtokeephimbackfrombeingacreditandanornamentwhereverhegoesandperhapsevenrisingtobeagreatman，isitMajor？Hewillhaveallmylittlesavingswhenmyworkisdone（beingalltheworldtome）andwemusttrytomakehimawisemanandagoodman，mustn’tweMajor？\"
\"Madam\"saystheMajorrising\"JemmyJackmanisbecominganolderfilethanIwasawareof，andyouputhimtoshame。YouarethoroughlyrightMadam。Youaresimplyandundeniablyright。——Andifyou’llexcuseme，I’lltakeawalk。\"
SotheMajorbeinggoneoutandJemmybeingathome，IgotthechildintomylittleroomhereandIstoodhimbymychairandItookhismother’sowncurlsinmyhandandIspoketohimlovingandserious。
AndwhenIhadremindedthedarlinghowthathewasnowinhistenthyearandwhenIhadsaidtohimabouthisgettingoninlifeprettymuchwhatIhadsaidtotheMajorIbroketohimhowthatwemusthavethissameparting，andthereIwasforcedtostopforthereI
sawofasuddenthewell—rememberedlipwithitstremble，anditsobroughtbackthattime！Butwiththespiritthatwasinhimhecontrolleditsoonandhesaysgravelynoddingthroughhistears，\"I
understandGran——IknowitMUSTbe，Gran——goonGran，don’tbeafraidofME。\"AndwhenIhadsaidallthateverIcouldthinkof，heturnedhisbrightsteadyfacetomineandhesaysjustalittlebrokenhereandthere\"YoushallseeGranthatIcanbeamanandthatIcandoanythingthatisgratefulandlovingtoyou——andifI
don’tgrowuptobewhatyouwouldliketohaveme——Ihopeitwillbe——becauseIshalldie。\"AndwiththathesatdownbymeandI
wentontotellhimoftheschoolofwhichIhadexcellentrecommendationsandwhereitwasandhowmanyscholarsandwhatgamestheyplayedasIhadheardandwhatlengthofholidays，toallofwhichhelistenedbrightandclear。Andsoitcamethatatlasthesays\"AndnowdearGranletmekneeldownherewhereIhavebeenusedtosaymyprayersandletmefoldmyfaceforjustaminuteinyourgownandletmecry，foryouhavebeenmorethanfather——morethanmother——morethanbrotherssistersfriends——tome！\"AndsohedidcryandItooandwewerebothmuchthebetterforit。
Fromthattimeforthhewastruetohiswordandeverblitheandready，andevenwhenmeandtheMajortookhimdownintoLincolnshirehewasfarthegayestofthepartythoughforsureandcertainhemighteasilyhavebeenthat，buthereallywasandputlifeintousonlywhenitcametothelastGood—bye，hesayswithawistfullook，\"Youwouldn’thavemenotreallysorrywouldyouGran？\"andwhenIsays\"Nodear，Lordforbid！\"hesays\"Iamgladofthat！\"andraninoutofsight。
ButnowthatthechildwasgoneoutoftheLodgingstheMajorfellintoaregularlymopingstate。ItwastakennoticeofbyalltheLodgersthattheMajormoped。Hehadn’teventhesameairofbeingrathertallthanheusedtohave，andifhevarnishedhisbootswithasinglegleamofinterestitwasasmuchashedid。
OneeveningtheMajorcameintomylittleroomtotakeacupofteaandamorselofbutteredtoastandtoreadJemmy’snewestletterwhichhadarrivedthatafternoon（bytheverysamepostmanmorethanmiddle—agedupontheBeatnow），andtheletterraisinghimupalittleIsaystotheMajor：
\"Majoryoumustn’tgetintoamopingway。\"
TheMajorshookhishead。\"JemmyJackmanMadam，\"hesayswithadeepsigh，\"isanolderfilethanIthoughthim。\"
\"MopingisnotthewaytogrowyoungerMajor。\"
\"MydearMadam，\"saystheMajor，\"isthereANYwayofgrowingyounger？\"
FeelingthattheMajorwasgettingratherthebestofthatpointI
madeadiversiontoanother。
\"Thirteenyears！Thir—teenyears！ManyLodgershavecomeandgone，inthethirteenyearsthatyouhavelivedintheparloursMajor。\"
\"Hah！\"saystheMajorwarming。\"ManyMadam，many。\"
\"AndIshouldsayyouhavebeenfamiliarwiththemall？\"
\"Asarule（withitsexceptionslikeallrules）mydearMadam\"saystheMajor，\"theyhavehonouredmewiththeiracquaintance，andnotunfrequentlywiththeirconfidence。\"
WatchingtheMajorashedroopedhiswhiteheadandstrokedhisblackmustachiosandmopedagain，athoughtwhichIthinkmusthavebeengoingaboutlookingforanownersomewheredroppedintomyoldnoddleifyouwillexcusetheexpression。
\"ThewallsofmyLodgings\"Isaysinacasualway——formydearitisofnousegoingstraightatamanwhomopes——\"mighthavesomethingtotelliftheycouldtellit。\"
TheMajorneithermovednorsaidanythingbutIsawhewasattendingwithhisshouldersmydear——attendingwithhisshoulderstowhatI
said。InfactIsawthathisshoulderswerestruckbyit。
\"Thedearboywasalwaysfondofstory—books\"Iwenton，likeasifIwastalkingtomyself。\"Iamsurethishouse——hisownhome——mightwriteastoryortwoforhisreadingonedayoranother。\"
TheMajor’sshouldersgaveadipandacurveandhisheadcameupinhisshirt—collar。TheMajor’sheadcameupinhisshirt—collarasI
hadn’tseenitcomeupsinceJemmywenttoschool。
\"Itisunquestionablethatinintervalsofcribbageandafriendlyrubber，mydearMadam，\"saystheMajor，\"andalsooverwhatusedtobecalledinmyyoungtimes——inthesaladdaysofJemmyJackman——thesocialglass，IhaveexchangedmanyareminiscencewithyourLodgers。\"
Myremarkwas——IconfessImadeitwiththedeepestandartfullestofintentions——\"Iwishourdearboyhadheardthem！\"
\"AreyouseriousMadam？\"askedtheMajorstartingandturningfullround。
\"WhynotMajor？\"
\"Madam\"saystheMajor，turninguponeofhiscuffs，\"theyshallbewrittenforhim。\"
\"Ah！Nowyouspeak\"Isaysgivingmyhandsapleasedclap。\"NowyouareinawayoutofmopingMajor！\"
\"Betweenthisandmyholidays——Imeanthedearboy’s\"saystheMajorturninguphisothercuff，\"agooddealmaybedonetowardsit。\"
\"Majoryouareaclevermanandyouhaveseenmuchandnotadoubtofit。\"
\"I’llbegin，\"saystheMajorlookingastallaseverhedid，\"to—
morrow。\"
MydeartheMajorwasanothermaninthreedaysandhewashimselfagaininaweekandhewroteandwroteandwrotewithhispenscratchinglikeratsbehindthewainscot，andwhetherhehadmanygroundstogouponorwhetherhedidatallromanceIcannottellyou，butwhathehaswrittenisintheleft—handglassclosetofthelittlebookcaseclosebehindyou。
CHAPTERII——HOWTHEPARLOURSADDEDAFEWWORDS
IhavethehonourofpresentingmyselfbythenameofJackman。I
esteemitaproudprivilegetogodowntoposteritythroughtheinstrumentalityofthemostremarkableboythateverlived，——bythenameofJEMMYJACKMANLIRRIPER，——andofmymostworthyandmosthighlyrespectedfriend，Mrs。EmmaLirriper，ofEighty—one，NorfolkStreet，Strand，intheCountyofMiddlesex，intheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandIreland。
Itisnotformetoexpresstherapturewithwhichwereceivedthatdearandeminentlyremarkableboy，ontheoccurrenceofhisfirstChristmasholidays。Sufficeittoobservethatwhenhecameflyingintothehousewithtwosplendidprizes（Arithmetic，andExemplaryConduct），Mrs。Lirriperandmyselfembracedwithemotion，andinstantlytookhimtothePlay，wherewewereallthreeadmirablyentertained。
Norisittorenderhomagetothevirtuesofthebestofhergoodandhonouredsex——whom，indeferencetoherunassumingworth，IwillonlyheredesignatebytheinitialsE。L。——thatIaddthisrecordtothebundleofpaperswithwhichour，inamostdistinguisheddegree，remarkableboyhasexpressedhimselfdelighted，beforere—consigningthesametotheleft—handglassclosetofMrs。Lirriper’slittlebookcase。
NeitherisittoobtrudethenameoftheoldoriginalsuperannuatedobscureJemmyJackman，once（tohisdegradation）ofWozenham’s，long（tohiselevation）ofLirriper’s。IfIcouldbeconsciouslyguiltyofthatpieceofbadtaste，itwouldindeedbeaworkofsupererogation，nowthatthenameisbornebyJEMMYJACKMAN
LIRRIPER。
No，Itakeupmyhumblepentoregisteralittlerecordofourstrikinglyremarkableboy，whichmypoorcapacityregardsaspresentingapleasantlittlepictureofthedearboy’smind。Thepicturemaybeinterestingtohimselfwhenheisaman。
OurfirstreunitedChristmas—daywasthemostdelightfulonewehaveeverpassedtogether。Jemmywasneversilentforfiveminutes，exceptinchurch—time。Hetalkedaswesatbythefire，hetalkedwhenwewereoutwalking，hetalkedaswesatbythefireagain，hetalkedincessantlyatdinner，thoughhemadeadinneralmostasremarkableashimself。Itwasthespringofhappinessinhisfreshyoungheartflowingandflowing，anditfertilised（ifImaybeallowedsoboldafigure）mymuch—esteemedfriend，andJ。J。thepresentwriter。
Therewereonlywethree。Wedinedinmyesteemedfriend’slittleroom，andourentertainmentwasperfect。Buteverythingintheestablishmentis，inneatness，order，andcomfort，alwaysperfect。
Afterdinnerourboyslippedawaytohisoldstoolatmyesteemedfriend’sknee，andthere，withhishotchestnutsandhisglassofbrownsherry（really，amostexcellentwine！）onachairforatable，hisfaceoutshonetheapplesinthedish。
Wetalkedofthesejottingsofmine，whichJemmyhadreadthroughandthroughbythattime；andsoitcameaboutthatmyesteemedfriendremarked，asshesatsmoothingJemmy’scurls：
\"Andasyoubelongtothehousetoo，Jemmy，——andsomuchmorethantheLodgers，havingbeenborninit，——why，yourstoryoughttobeaddedtotherest，Ithink，oneofthesedays。\"
Jemmy’seyessparkledatthis，andhesaid，\"SoIthink，Gran。\"
Thenhesatlookingatthefire，andthenhebegantolaughinasortofconfidencewiththefire，andthenhesaid，foldinghisarmsacrossmyesteemedfriend’slap，andraisinghisbrightfacetohers。\"Wouldyouliketohearaboy’sstory，Gran？\"
\"Ofallthings，\"repliedmyesteemedfriend。
\"Wouldyou，godfather？\"
\"Ofallthings，\"Itooreplied。
\"Well，then，\"saidJemmy，\"I’lltellyouone。\"
Hereourindisputablyremarkableboygavehimselfahug，andlaughedagain，musically，attheideaofhiscomingoutinthatnewline。
Thenheoncemoretookthefireintothesamesortofconfidenceasbefore，andbegan：
\"Onceuponatime，Whenpigsdrankwine，Andmonkeyschewedtobaccer，’Twasneitherinyourtimenormine，Butthat’snomacker—
—\"
\"Blessthechild！\"criedmyesteemedfriend，\"what’samisswithhisbrain？\"
\"It’spoetry，Gran，\"returnedJemmy，shoutingwithlaughter。\"Wealwaysbeginstoriesthatwayatschool。\"
\"Gavemequiteaturn，Major，\"saidmyesteemedfriend，fanningherselfwithaplate。\"Thoughthewaslight—headed！\"
\"Inthoseremarkabletimes，Granandgodfather，therewasonceaboy，——notme，youknow。\"
\"No，no，\"saysmyrespectedfriend，\"notyou。Nothim，Major，youunderstand？\"
\"No，no，\"saysI。
\"AndhewenttoschoolinRutlandshire——\"
\"WhynotLincolnshire？\"saysmyrespectedfriend。
\"Whynot，youdearoldGran？BecauseIgotoschoolinLincolnshire，don’tI？\"
\"Ah，tobesure！\"saysmyrespectedfriend。\"Andit’snotJemmy，youunderstand，Major？\"
\"No，no，\"saysI。
\"Well！\"ourboyproceeded，hugginghimselfcomfortably，andlaughingmerrily（againinconfidencewiththefire），beforeheagainlookedupinMrs。Lirriper’sface，\"andsohewastremendouslyinlovewithhisschoolmaster’sdaughter，andshewasthemostbeautifulcreaturethateverwasseen，andshehadbrowneyes，andshehadbrownhairallcurlingbeautifully，andshehadadeliciousvoice，andshewasdeliciousaltogether，andhernamewasSeraphina。\"
\"What’sthenameofYOURschoolmaster’sdaughter，Jemmy？\"asksmyrespectedfriend。
\"Polly！\"repliedJemmy，pointinghisforefingerather。\"Therenow！
Caughtyou！Ha，ha，ha！\"
Whenheandmyrespectedfriendhadhadalaughandahugtogether，ouradmittedlyremarkableboyresumedwithagreatrelish：
\"Well！Andsohelovedher。Andsohethoughtabouther，anddreamedabouther，andmadeherpresentsoforangesandnuts，andwouldhavemadeherpresentsofpearlsanddiamondsifhecouldhaveaffordeditoutofhispocket—money，buthecouldn’t。Andsoherfather——O，heWASaTartar！Keepingtheboysuptothemark，holdingexaminationsonceamonth，lecturinguponallsortsofsubjectsatallsortsoftimes，andknowingeverythingintheworldoutofbook。Andsothisboy——\"
\"Hadheanyname？\"asksmyrespectedfriend。
\"No，hehadn’t，Gran。Ha，ha！Therenow！Caughtyouagain！\"
Afterthis，theyhadanotherlaughandanotherhug，andthenourboywenton。
\"Well！Andsothisboy，hehadafriendaboutasoldashimselfatthesameschool，andhisname（forHeHADaname，asithappened）
was——letmeremember——wasBobbo。\"
\"NotBob，\"saysmyrespectedfriend。
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saysJemmy。\"Whatmadeyouthinkitwas，Gran？
Well！Andsothisfriendwasthecleverestandbravestandbest—
lookingandmostgenerousofallthefriendsthateverwere，andsohewasinlovewithSeraphina’ssister，andsoSeraphina’ssisterwasinlovewithhim，andsotheyallgrewup。\"
\"Blessus！\"saysmyrespectedfriend。\"Theywereverysuddenaboutit。\"
\"Sotheyallgrewup，\"ourboyrepeated，laughingheartily，\"andBobboandthisboywentawaytogetheronhorsebacktoseektheirfortunes，andtheypartlygottheirhorsesbyfavour，andpartlyinabargain；thatistosay，theyhadsavedupbetweenthemsevenandfourpence，andthetwohorses，beingArabs，wereworthmore，onlythemansaidhewouldtakethat，tofavourthem。Well！Andsotheymadetheirfortunesandcameprancingbacktotheschool，withtheirpocketsfullofgold，enoughtolastforever。Andsotheyrangattheparents’andvisitors’bell（notthebackgate），andwhenthebellwasansweredtheyproclaimed’Thesameasifitwasscarletfever！Everyboygoeshomeforanindefiniteperiod！’Andthentherewasgreathurrahing，andthentheykissedSeraphinaandhersister，——eachhisownlove，andnottheother’sonanyaccount，——andthentheyorderedtheTartarintoinstantconfinement。\"
\"Poorman！\"saidmyrespectedfriend。
\"Intoinstantconfinement，Gran，\"repeatedJemmy，tryingtolooksevereandroaringwithlaughter；\"andhewastohavenothingtoeatbuttheboys’dinners，andwastodrinkhalfacaskoftheirbeereveryday。Andsothenthepreparationsweremadeforthetwoweddings，andtherewerehampers，andpottedthings，andsweetthings，andnuts，andpostage—stamps，andallmannerofthings。Andsotheyweresojolly，thattheylettheTartarout，andhewasjollytoo。\"
\"Iamgladtheylethimout，\"saysmyrespectedfriend，\"becausehehadonlydonehisduty。\"
\"O，buthadn’theoverdoneit，though！\"criedJemmy。\"Well！Andsothenthisboymountedhishorse，withhisbrideinhisarms，andcanteredaway，andcanteredonandontillhecametoacertainplacewherehehadacertainGranandacertaingodfather，——notyoutwo，youknow。\"
\"No，no，\"webothsaid。
\"Andtherehewasreceivedwithgreatrejoicings，andhefilledthecupboardandthebookcasewithgold，andheshowereditoutonhisGranandhisgodfatherbecausetheywerethetwokindestanddearestpeoplethateverlivedinthisworld。Andsowhiletheyweresittinguptotheirkneesingold，aknockingwasheardatthestreetdoor，andwhoshoulditbebutBobbo，alsoonhorsebackwithhisbrideinhisarms，andwhathadhecometosaybutthathewouldtake（atdoublerent）alltheLodgingsforever，thatwerenotwantedbythisaboyandthisGranandthisgodfather，andthattheywouldalllivetogether，andallbehappy！Andsotheywere，andsoitneverended！\"
\"Andwastherenoquarrelling？\"askedmyrespectedfriend，asJemmysatuponherlapandhuggedher。
\"No！Nobodyeverquarrelled。\"
\"Anddidthemoneynevermeltaway？\"
\"No！Nobodycouldeverspenditall。\"
\"Anddidnoneofthemevergrowolder？\"
\"No！Nobodyevergrewolderafterthat。\"
\"Anddidnoneofthemeverdie？\"
\"O，no，no，no，Gran！\"exclaimedourdearboy，layinghischeekuponherbreast，anddrawingherclosertohim。\"Nobodyeverdied。\"
\"Ah，Major，Major！\"saysmyrespectedfriend，smilingbenignlyuponme，\"thisbeatsourstories。LetusendwiththeBoy’sstory，Major，fortheBoy’sstoryisthebestthatisevertold！\"
Insubmissiontowhichrequestonthepartofthebestofwomen，I
haveherenoteditdownasfaithfullyasmybestabilities，coupledwithmybestintentions，wouldadmit，subscribingitwithmyname，J。JACKMAN。
THEPARLOURS。
MRS。LIRRIPER’SLODGINGS。