“I was going to sea; I have never been to sea yet, and I don’t want to go; I would rather stay with you.”
“And so you shall, that’s a settled thing. What clothes have you got, Peter?”
“I have none but what I stand in, and a few shirts in a bundle, and they are Sunday ones; but when I left home I had some money given me, and I wish to buy a suit of clothes for Sunday, to go to church in.”
“That’s a good boy, and so you shall; but how much money have you got?”
“Quite enough to buy a suit of clothes,” replied Joey, handing out two sovereigns, and seventeen shillings in silver.
“Oh, I suppose they gave you all that to fit you out with when you left home; poor people, I dare say they worked hard for it. Well, I don’t think the money will be of any use to you; so you had better buy a Sunday suit, and I will take care you want for nothing afterwards. Don’t you think I’m right?”
“Yes, I wish to do so. To-day is Tuesday; I may have them made by next Sunday?”
“So you can; and as soon as William comes in, which he will soon, from the washerwoman’s, we will go out and order them. Here he comes up the stairs—no, that foot’s too light for his. Well, it’s Nancy, I declare! Why, Nancy, now,” continued Mrs Chopper, in a deprecating tone, “what do you want here?”
“Well, I leave you to guess,” replied Nancy, looking very demurely, and taking a seat upon a hamper.
“Guess, I fear there’s no guess in it, Nancy; but I will not—now it’s no use—I will not trust another shilling.”