to Barbox Brothers.

"When my father, sir," she said brightly, "tells you about my being
interested in other people, even though they know nothing about me--which,
by the bye, I told you myself--you ought to know how that comes about.
That's my father's doing."

"No, it isn't!" he protested.

"Don't you believe him, sir; yes, it is. He tells me of everything he
sees down at his work. You would be surprised what a quantity he gets
together for me every day. He looks into the carriages, and tells me how
the ladies are dressed--so that I know all the fashions! He looks into
the carriages, and tells me what pairs of lovers he sees, and what new-
married couples on their wedding trip--so that I know all about that! He
collects chance newspapers and books--so that I have plenty to read! He
tells me about the sick people who are travelling to try to get better--so
that I know all about them! In short, as I began by saying, he tells me
everything he sees and makes out down at his work, and you can't think
what a quantity he does see and make out."

"As to collecting newspapers and books, my dear," said Lamps, "it's clear
I can have no merit in that, because they're not my perquisites. You
see, sir, it's this way: A Guard, he'll say to me, 'Hallo, here you are,
Lamps. I've saved this paper for your daughter. How is she a-going on?'
A Head-Porter, he'll say to me, 'Here! Catch hold, Lamps. Here's a
couple of wollumes for your daughter. Is she pretty much where she
were?' And that's what makes it double welcome, you see. If she had a
thousand pound in a box, they wouldn't trouble themselves about her; but
being what she is--that is, you understand," Lamps added, somewhat