Gilbert soothed his companion for the time.  He knew where to stop, and promised himself to find a fitter season for pursuing the same subject.  Just as he had reverted to the topic of conversation which brought him here, there came a knock at the door.

‘Come in!’ growled Bunce.

Totty Nancarrow appeared.  One of her hands led a little fellow of seven, a bright lad, munching a ‘treacle-stick;’ the other, a little girl a year younger, who exclaimed as she entered: 

‘Been a walk with Miss Nanco!’

‘We’ve been to the butcher’s with Miss Nancarrow, father,’ declared the boy, consciously improving on his sister’s report.

Totty had drawn back a step at the sight of Grail.  He and she knew each other by sight, but had not yet exchanged words.

‘I found them in the dark, Mr. Bunce,’ she said, half laughing.  ’Mrs. Ladds was out, and couldn’t get back in time to light the lamp for them.  I hope you don’t mind.  I thought a little bit of a walk ‘ud do them good.’

Bunce always softened at the sight of his little ones.

‘I’m much obliged to you, Miss Nancarrow,’ he said.

‘Miss Nanco bought me sweets,’ remarked little Nelly, when her father had drawn her between his knees.  And she exhibited a half-sucked lollipop.  Her brother hid away his own delicacy, feeling all at once that it compromised his masculine superiority.

‘Then I’m very angry with Miss Nanco,’ replied Bunce.  ’I hope she’ll never do anything o’ the kind again.’

Totty laughed and drew back into the passage.  Thence she said: 

‘Could I speak to you a minute, Mr. Bunce?’

He went out to her, and half closed the door behind him.  Totty led him a step or two down the stairs, then whispered: 

’I’m so sorry, Mr. Bunce, but I find I can’t very well go on Saturday.  But I’ve just seen Miss Trent, the one that’s going to marry Mr. Grail, you know; and she says she’d be only too glad to go, that is if Mr. Grail ’ll let her, and she’s quite sure he will.  Would you ask Mr. Grail?  Thyrza—­that’s Miss Trent, I mean—­was so anxious; she’s never been to the seaside.  Will you just ask him?’

‘Oh yes, I will.’

‘I’m sorry I’ve had to draw back, Mr. Bunce, after offering—­’

’It don’t matter a bit, Miss Nancarrow.  Miss Trent ’ll do just as well, if she really don’t mind the trouble.’

’Trouble!  Why, she’d give anything to go!  Please get Mr. Grail to let her.’

Bunce returned to his room and closed the door.  Gilbert had taken Nelly on his knee, and was satisfying her by tasting the remnant of lollipop.

‘I say, Jack!’ cried the father, his eye again catching sight of the bruised tract on the floor.  ‘Who brought that here?’

‘I did, father,’ answered the youngster stoutly, though he saw displeasure in his father’s face.

‘Where did you get it, eh?’ was asked sharply.