way, Jack," said Ben; "but I can't say that she appeared to take it much
to heart, and that's the truth. Had it been little Jenny, she'd have
cried her eyes out."

I arrived at Fisher's Alley, and the neighbors looked out; and as I
nodded to them they cried, "Why, here's Jack come back again. Where have
you been to, Jack?" This passing from mouth to mouth at last reached my
mother's ears; she looked out and saw me and old Ben close to the door.

"Here be your son, missus," said Ben; "so you may thank God for His
mercy."

But my mother did not appear to be very thankful. She turned round and
went in. I followed her, while Ben was standing at the door in amazement
at her not flying to me and kissing me. On the contrary she must have
been angry at my return, for she commenced singing:

"Jack and Gill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Gill came tumbling after."

And then she broke out: "And where have you been, you good-for-nothing
boy, all this time? putting me to all this useless expense that you
have; all my money thrown away for nothing." I looked at the table and
perceived that she had been making a black dress and bonnet, to put
little Virginia into mourning; for she never let slip an opportunity to
dress out my sister.

"Fifteen good shillings thrown away and lost, all by your coming back.