"Poor little mite! I am afraid he's hurt. He was too small to slide. I must get him home this minute. Where does he live?"
"Please, miss, down to Bill Green's; they're a-lodgin'. Please, miss, they're tramps; that was his ma that's just gone, her in the red shawl there," rose in a hubbub of voices.
"Oh, poor wee man! I'll take him home."
"Pray, Miss Vyner, let me," said Captain Strangways, struggling with his skates.
"Oh no, please don't: I'd rather. It's only a step. He isn't heavy. No, please. If you'll take the children home for me, I won't be long."
"But you must not go alone, and it's almost dusk."
"Jim shall go with me," and she beckoned to a stable-boy in the crowd. "Indeed, Captain Strangways, I would much rather you did not come, really;" and reluctantly he stooped and unfastened her skates, and stood watching her as she passed quickly down toward the village, with Jim in attendance, and the little child in her arms.
"It's all right, really," said Rex, trying to cut a double S, and failing signally. "Don't you know Cousin Cecil is doctor to half the village?"
"And oh!" said a tearful voice, "could you help me to look for my locket?"
"By all means," said the kind young soldier, and they set to work with a will, but without success; no locket was to be seen.