Love and the Ironmonger

by F. J. Randall

"That voice," said the landlady, now beginning to tremble again. "Can it be——"

"Moggles!"

"My boy!" The landlady cried out with a half-shriek. "It must be. Let me see him."

Gray saw through the trick at once, and laughed out loud.

"Don't you be deceived, ma'am," he said, tearing the shade away from George Early's eyes. "It's a game he's playing. Look at him; that's not your boy."

George blinked his eyes, and looked as foolish as he could.

"I don't know," said the landlady, excitedly. "He's about the right size."

"Erny good boy," said George, smiling vacantly.

The landlady shrieked again. "It is!" she cried, "it is! I'll fetch my husband."

In the interval, George Early had a rough time with the three men, being threatened and sworn at without mercy.