over all such matters, it is sufficient to say that within a
few minutes after the two hours had expired, Kit and his
mother arrived at the Notary's door, where a post-chaise
was already waiting.

"With four horses I declare!" said Kit, quite aghast
at the preparations. "Well you are going to do it,
mother! Here she is, sir. Here's my mother. She's
quite ready, sir."

"That's well"--returned the gentleman. "Now, don't
be in a flutter, ma'am; you'll be taken great care of.
Where's the box with the new clothing and necessaries
for them?"

"Here it is," said the Notary. "In with it,
Christopher."

"All right, sir," replied Kit. "Quite ready now, sir."

"Then come along," said the single gentleman. And
thereupon he gave his arm to Kit's mother, handed her
into the carriage as politely as you please, and took his seat
beside her.

Up went the steps, bang went the door, round whirled
the wheels, and off they rattled, with Kit's mother hanging
out at one window waving a damp pocket-handkerchief
and screaming out a great many messages to little Jacob
and the baby, of which nobody heard a word.

Kit stood in the middle of the road, and looked after
them with tears in his eyes--not brought there by the
departure he witnessed, but by the return to which he
looked forward. "They went away," he thought, "on
foot with nobody to speak to them or say a kind word at
parting, and they'll come back, drawn by four horses,
with this rich gentleman for their friend, and all their
troubles over! She'll forget that she taught me to
write-----"

Whatever Kit thought about after this, took some time
to think of, for he stood gazing up at the lines of shining
lamps, long after the chaise had disappeared, and did not
return into the house until the Notary and Mr. Abel, who
had themselves lingered outside till the sound of the wheels
was no longer distinguishable, had several times wondered
what could possibly detain him.

-302-