"Oh!" he said, stiffly. "Well?"
Bassett drew back in confusion. "I—I saw you walk up and down several times looking at the house, sir, and I thought it my duty to come and tell you," he replied.
Mr. Vyner regarded him steadfastly. "Thank you," he said, at last. "And how is it that you are out at such an early hour, prowling about like a raging lion looking for its breakfast?"
"I wasn't, sir," said Bassett; "I shall have my breakfast when I get home, at eight o'clock. I always get up at six; then I make sure of two hours in the fresh air."
"And what time do you close your eyes on the world and its vanities?" inquired Mr. Vyner, with an appearance of great interest.
"I always go to bed as the clock strikes ten, sir," said the youth.
"And suppose—suppose the clock should be wrong one day?" suggested the other, "would you apprehend any lasting injury to your constitution?"
"It couldn't be, sir," said Bassett; "I wind it myself."
Mr. Vyner regarded him more thoughtfully than before. "I can foresee," he said, slowly, "that you will grow up a great and good and wise man, unless—"
"Yes, sir," said Bassett, anxiously.