Mr. Gusher consulted Mr. Books, and entrusted him with the little
woman's money. Then he proceeded to Mr. Foblin's desk, that gentleman
turning over the pages of his big ledger preparatory to making an entry.

"What name did you say? I have the amount," enquired that gentleman,
looking up earnestly over his spectacles.

"If you please, madam," said he, approaching the little woman with a
bow, "you shall have no objection to give me your name. It is necessary
as we shall keep ze book so correct."

The little woman hesitated for a moment, fingered the handle of her
satchel nervously, then looked up inquiringly in Mr. Gusher's face. Then
touching him timidly on the right arm with the fore-finger of her left
hand she whispered, "Nautical, nautical, my nautical name?" Then her
lips motioned and her finger pressed on Mr. Gusher's arm. Mr. Gusher
looked at the little woman with an air of surprise and astonishment.

"Nau-tick-el? I do not understand zat, madam."

"Elizabeth Judson Bottom. That's my name," resumed the woman, raising
her voice, and seeming to speak with a feeling of relief. "Bottom is my
husband's name." Here she lowered her voice again. "Nautical. Commands a
ship. Is away off in the South Sea, my husband is. There's nobody got a
better husband than I have." The little woman said this with an emphasis
and a smile of satisfaction lighting up her face. "You may have heard of
my husband, sir? He is well known among nautical people. My husband
sails the celebrated ship Pacific, and has made three successful
voyages. You hav'nt had much to do with ships if you hav'nt heard of my