“But I must go and see Mother Curdley.”
“Humph!” ejaculated the doctor. “Well, we shall see. Perhaps she will be allowed to come and see you.”
“Hooray!” cried the boy excitedly; and turning to Helen he obtained possession of her hand. “I say, save her a bit of that cake.”
“She shall have some cake, Dexter,” said Helen kindly, for she could not help, in spite of her annoyance, again feeling pleased with the boy’s remembrance of others.
“And I say,” he cried, “when she does come, we’ll have a ha’porth o’ snuff screwed up in a bit o’ paper, and—has he got any gin?”
“Hush, hush!” whispered Helen.
“But she’s so fond of a drop,” said the boy earnestly.
“And now,” said the doctor; “the next thing is clothes. Ah, Maria, send Cribb to ask Mr Bleddan to come here directly.”
“Yes, sir,” said Maria; and after a glance at the boy she closed the door.
In less than a quarter of an hour Mr Bleddan, the tailor of Coleby, was there; and Dexter stood up feeling tickled and amused at being measured for some new clothes which the tailor said should be ready in a week.