because they thought you'd lost your life saving little Billy. They said
you was a hero."

[Illustration: "'They dragged the river,' resumed his wife, 'and found
the cap.'"]

"You've made a nice mess of it," repeated Mr. Blows.

"The rector preached the sermon," continued his wife; "a beautiful sermon
it was, too. I wish you'd been there to hear it; I should 'ave enjoyed
it ever so much better. He said that nobody was more surprised than what
'e was at your doing such a thing, and that it only showed 'ow little we
knowed our fellow-creatures. He said that it proved there was good in
all of us if we only gave it a chance to come out."

Mr. Blows eyed her suspiciously, but she sat thinking and staring at the
floor.

"I s'pose we shall have to give the money back now," she said, at last.

"Money!" said the other; "what money?"

"Money that was collected for us," replied his wife. "One 'undered and
eighty-three pounds seven shillings and fourpence."

Mr. Blows took a long breath. "Ow much?" he said, faintly; "say it
agin."

His wife obeyed.