"No, thank you."
A silence ensued, caused by Lily commencing a verse of a favourite song, which they paused to hear.
"She sings like a bird," said Mrs. Podmore; and added, with a meaning smile, "but there's something else besides fresh air to account for her lightheartedness. Here's Mr. Felix himself to bear me out in what I say."
"And what is that, Mrs. Podmore?" asked Felix, who entered as she spoke, and heard her last words.
"Ah, that's a little secret between me and Mr. Wheels," replied Mrs. Podmore with another smile of much meaning, intended especially for the old man; "but I've got Jim's dinner in the basket, and I must go and give it to him."
"There's another thing to be thankful for, Mrs. Podmore," said Old Wheels. "Your husband hasn't so far to go home when his work's done as he had when we lived in Soho. You see how lucky the fire was, after all, to bring you here to live, so near the station where your husband works."
"Well, we know who we've got to thank for it," replied Mrs. Podmore, with an affectionate look at Felix: "don't we, Polly?"
And with other grateful words, the mother and child left the house.
"You have come early to-day, Felix," said Old Wheels; "has any particular business brought you?"
Felix, looking both anxious and happy, answered,