'Com-bined,' he added gravely, 'with a thimble.'

'Do as you wold, you know, and cetrer, eh!' observed Clemency,
folding her arms comfortably in her delight at this avowal, and
patting her elbows. 'Such a short cut, an't it?'

'I'm not sure,' said Mr. Britain, 'that it's what would be
considered good philosophy. I've my doubts about that; but it
wears well, and saves a quantity of snarling, which the genuine
article don't always.'

'See how you used to go on once, yourself, you know!' said
Clemency.

'Ah!' said Mr. Britain. 'But the most extraordinary thing, Clemmy,
is that I should live to be brought round, through you. That's the
strange part of it. Through you! Why, I suppose you haven't so
much as half an idea in your head.'

Clemency, without taking the least offence, shook it, and laughed
and hugged herself, and said, 'No, she didn't suppose she had.'

'I'm pretty sure of it,' said Mr. Britain.

'Oh! I dare say you're right,' said Clemency. 'I don't pretend to
none. I don't want any.'

Benjamin took his pipe from his lips, and laughed till the tears
ran down his face. 'What a natural you are, Clemmy!' he said,