“How very kind of you, Timothy, to think of me in that way!  I shall indeed be glad; but no—­what have I to do with pistols or silver dressing-cases now?  I must not have them, but still I thank you all the same.”

“The furniture and everything else fetched L430, after all expenses were paid.”

“I am glad of it, Timothy, for your sake; but I am sorry, judging by your present plight, that it appears to have done you but little good.”

“Because I did not make use of it, Japhet.  What could I do with all that money?  I took it to Mr Masterton, with all your papers, and the dressing-case and pistols;—­he has it now ready for you when you ask for it.  He was very kind to me, and offered to do anything for me; but I resolved to go in search of you.  I had more money in my pocket when you went away than I generally have, and with the surplus of what you left for the bills, I had twelve or fourteen pounds.  So I wished Mr Masterton good-bye, and have ever since been on my adventures in search of my master.”

“Not master, Timothy, say rather of your friend.”

“Well, of both if you please, Japhet; and very pretty adventures I have had, I assure you, and some very hair-breadth escapes.”

“I think, when we compare notes, mine will be found most eventful, Timothy; but we can talk of them, and compare notes another time.  At present, whom do you think I am residing with?”

“A Quaker, I presume.”

“You have guessed right so far:  but who do you think that Quaker is?”

“There I’m at fault.”

“Mr Cophagas.”

At this intelligence Timothy gave a leap in the air, turned round on his heel, and tumbled on the grass in a fit of immoderate laughter.

“Cophagus!—­a Quaker!” cried he at last.  “Oh!  I long to see him.  Snuffle, snuffle—­broad brims—­wide skirts—­and so on.  Capital!”

“It is very true, Timothy, but you must not mock at the persuasion.”

“I did not intend it, Japhet, but there is something to me so ridiculous in the idea.  But,” continued Timothy, “is it not still stranger, that, after having separated so many years, we should all meet again—­and that I should find Mr Cophagus—­an apothecary’s shop—­you dispensing medicines—­and I—­as I hope to be—­carrying them about as I did before.  Well, I will row in the same boat, and I will be a Quaker as well as you both.”

“Well, we will now return, and I will take you to Mr Cophagus, who will, I am sure, be glad to see you.”

“First, Japhet, let me have some Quaker’s clothes—­I should prefer it.”

“You shall have a suit of mine, Timothy, since you wish it; but recollect it is not at all necessary, nor indeed will it be permitted that you enter into the sect without preparatory examination as to your fitness for admission.”

I then went to the shop, and sending out the assistant, walked home and took out a worn suit of clothes, with which I hastened to Timothy.  He put them on in the shop, and then walking behind the counter, said, “This is my place, and here I shall remain as long as you do.”