And he got into such a state that the old lady dried her eyes at once.
“Never mind me, dear,” said she, “it wasn’t you made me cry: it was thinking of my Tom. You’ll be a good friend to him, won’t you, dear?”
“Perhaps he won’t like me.”
“Now I’m sure he will,” exclaimed the lady warmly; so warmly that I quite loved her for my little master’s sake. Both were silent for some time, and then Charlie asked,—
“I say, has he got a watch?”
“No.”
“Oh, never mind,” said he, in a tone of evident relief, “I can tell him the time, you know, whenever he wants to know.”
“To be sure you can.”
Then Charlie took to polishing me and the chain up again, an occupation which lasted until we arrived at Gunborough Junction, where passengers changed for Randlebury.
“Good-bye, dear,” said the old lady, as Charlie proceeded to get together his things.