in her eyes at thought of the past miseries of people like herself.

"Yes," said I, much moved; "that and more. Often--in my country I
have seen that wretched change you have spoken of, from the fresh
handsome country lass to the poor draggle-tailed country woman."

The old man sat silent for a little, but presently recovered himself
and took comfort in his old phrase of "Well, you like it so, do you?"

"Yes," said Ellen, "I love life better than death."

"O, you do, do you?" said he. "Well, for my part I like reading a
good old book with plenty of fun in it, like Thackeray's 'Vanity
Fair.' Why don't you write books like that now? Ask that question
of your Bloomsbury sage."

Seeing Dick's cheeks reddening a little at this sally, and noting
that silence followed, I thought I had better do something. So I
said: "I am only the guest, friends; but I know you want to show me
your river at its best, so don't you think we had better be moving
presently, as it is certainly going to be a hot day?"



CHAPTER XXIV: UP THE THAMES: THE SECOND DAY



They were not slow to take my hint; and indeed, as to the mere time
of day, it was best for us to be off, as it was past seven o'clock,