“‘Never mind, Sam,’ ses Bob; ’I won’t take no advantage of you.  If I lose you’ll ’ave sixpence to buy a rabbit-hutch with.  Good-night, mates all.’

“He rumpled Bill Chambers’s ’air for ’im as he passed—­a thing Bill never can a-bear—­and gave Henery Walker, wot was drinking beer, a smack on the back wot nearly ruined ’im for life.

[Illustration:  “Some of ’em went and told Mr. Bunnett some more things about Bob next day”]

“Some of ’em went and told Mr. Bunnett some more things about Bob next day, but they might as well ha’ saved their breath.  The old gen’leman said be knew all about ’im and he never wanted to ’ear his name mentioned agin.  Arter which they began for to ’ave a more cheerful way of looking at things; and Sam Jones said ’e was going to ’ave a hole bored through ’is sixpence and wear it round ’is neck to aggravate Bob Pretty with.

“For the next three or four weeks Bob Pretty seemed to keep very quiet, and we all began to think as ’ow he ’ad made a mistake for once.  Everybody else was trying their ’ardest for the watch, and all Bob done was to make a laugh of ’em and to say he believed it was on’y made of brass arter all.  Then one arternoon, just a few days afore Mr. Bunnett’s time was up at the farm, Bob took ’is dog out for a walk, and arter watching the farm for some time met the old gen’leman by accident up at Coe’s plantation.

“‘Good arternoon, sir,’ he ses, smiling at ’im.  ’Wot wunnerful fine weather we’re a-having for the time o’ year.  I’ve just brought Joseph out for a bit of a walk.  He ain’t been wot I might call hisself for the last day or two, and I thought a little fresh air might do ‘im good.’

“Mr. Bunnett just looked at him, and then ’e passed ’im by without a word.

“’I wanted to ask your advice about ‘im,’ ses Bob, turning round and follering of ’im.  ’He’s a delikit animal, and sometimes I wonder whether I ’aven’t been a-pampering of ‘im too much.’

“‘Go away,’ ses Mr. Bunnett; ‘I’ve’eard all about you.  Go away at once.’

“‘Heard all about me?’ ses Bob Pretty, looking puzzled.  ’Well, you can’t ’ave heard no ‘arm, that’s one comfort.’

“‘I’ve been told your true character,’ ses the old gen’leman, very firm.  ’And I’m ashamed that I should have let myself be deceived by you.  I hope you’ll try and do better while there is still time.’

“’If anybody ‘as got anything to say agin my character,’ says Bob, ’I wish as they’d say it to my face.  I’m a pore, hard-working man, and my character’s all I’ve got.’

“‘You’re poorer than you thought you was then,’ says Mr. Bunnett.  ’I wish you good arternoon.’

“‘Good arternoon, sir,’ ses Bob, very humble.  ’I’m afraid some on ’em ’ave been telling lies about me, and I didn’t think I’d got a enemy in the world.  Come on, Joseph.  Come on, old pal.  We ain’t wanted here.’

“He shook ’is ’ead with sorrow, and made a little sucking noise between ’is teeth, and afore you could wink, his dog ’ad laid hold of the old gen’leman’s leg and kep’ quiet waiting orders.