“House, furniture, property, everything I possess!” ejaculated Tinman, shivering.
“Fiddle, man; you want some hot breakfast in you. Your sister has gone on—to Elba. Come you too, old Man; and where’s that plucky little girl who stood by—”
“Was there a girl?” said Tinman.
“Yes, and there was a boy wanted to help.” Van Diemen pointed at Herbert.
Tinman looked, and piteously asked, “Have you examined Marine Parade and Belle Vue? It depends on the tide!”
“Here is little Jane, sir,” said Mrs. Crickledon.
“Fall in,” Van Diemen said to little Jane.
The girl was bobbing curtseys to Annette, on her introduction by Mrs. Crickledon.
“Martin, you stay at my house; you stay at Elba till you get things comfortable about you, and then you shall have the Crouch for a year, rent free. Eh, Netty?”
Annette chimed in: “Anything we can do, anything. Nothing can be too much.”