“Pull yourself t’gether,” he said, gravely, “Now, ’old on me.”

The road, as they walked, rose up in imitation of the shipping, but Mr. Wilks knew now the explanation:  Teddy Silk was intoxicated.  Very gently he leaned towards the erring youth and wagged his head at him.

“Are you going to hold up or aren’t you?” demanded Mr. Silk, shortly.

The steward waived the question; he knew from experience the futility of arguing with men in drink.  The great thing was to get Teddy Silk home, not to argue with him.  He smiled good-temperedly to himself, and with a sudden movement pinned him up against the wall in time to arrest another` fall.

[Illustration:  “The great thing was to get Teddy Silk home.”]

With frequent halts by the way, during which the shortness of Mr. Silk’s temper furnished Mr. Wilks with the texts of several sermons, none of which he finished, they at last reached Fullalove Alley, and the steward, with a brief exhortation to his charge to hold his head up, bore down on Mrs. Silk, who was sitting in her doorway.

“I’ve brought ’im ’ome,” he said, steadying himself against the doorpost; “brought ’im ’ome.”

“Brought ’im ’ome?” said the bewildered Mrs. Silk.

“Don’ say anything to ’im,” entreated Mr. Wilks, “my sake.  Thing might ’appen anybody.”

“He’s been like that all the way,” said Mr. Silk, regarding the steward with much disfavour.  “I don’t know why I troubled about him, I’m sure.”

“Crowd roun ’im,” pursued the imaginative Mr. Wilks. “’Old up, Teddy.”

“I’m sure it’s very kind of you, Mr. Wilks,” said the widow, as she glanced at a little knot of neighbours standing near.  “Will you come inside for a minute or two?”

She moved the chair to let him pass, and Mr. Wilks, still keeping the restraining hand of age on the shoulder of intemperate youth, passed in and stood, smiling amiably, while Mrs. Silk lit the lamp and placed it in the centre of the table, which was laid for supper.  The light shone on a knuckle of boiled pork, a home-made loaf, and a fresh-cut wedge of cheese.

“I suppose you won’t stay and pick a bit o’ sup-per with us?” said Mrs. Silk.

“Why not?” inquired Mr. Wilks.

“I’m sure, if I had known,” said Mrs. Silk, as she piloted him to a seat, “I’d ’ave ’ad something nice.  There, now!  If I ’aven’t been and forgot the beer.”

She left the table and went into the kitchen, and Mr. Wilks’s eyes glistened as she returned with a large brown jug full of foaming ale and filled his glass.

“Teddy mustn’t ’ave any,” he said, sharply, as she prepared to fill that gentleman’s glass.

“Just ’alf a glass,” she said, winsomely.

“Not a drop,” said Mr. Wilks, firmly.

Mrs. Silk hesitated, and screwing up her forehead glanced significantly at her son. “’Ave some by-and-by,” she whispered.

“Give me the jug,” said Mr. Silk, indignantly.  “What are you listening to ’im for?  Can’t you see what’s the matter with ’im?”