“Is there one of the name of Bax ’ere,” said the meek voice.
“Here I am,” shouted Bax, “come in; what d’ye want with me?”
Peekins entered in a state of great agitation.
“Oh! sir, please sir,—I’ll never do it again; but I couldn’t help it indeed, indeed—I was dyin’, I was. It’s a great sin I knows, but—”
Here Peekins burst into tears, and sat down on the seat opposite.
“Wot a green ’un!” muttered Tommy, as he gazed at the tiger in blue through a volume of tobacco smoke.
“What’s the matter, boy?” inquired Bax, in some surprise. “Anything wrong at Redwharf Lane?”
“Ye-es—that’s to say, not exactly, only I’ve run’d away.”
“You han’t run far, then,” said Bax, smiling. “How long is’t since you ran away?”
“Just ten minutes.”