would not accede to such an arrangement. As for himself, he would
do anything but leave his friend Norman.' To tell the truth,
Alaric thought much, perhaps too much, of the respectability of
those with whom he consorted. He had already begun to indulge
ambitious schemes, already had ideas stretching even beyond the
limits of the Weights and Measures, and fully intended to make
the very most of himself.

Mrs. Tudor, in her deep grief, then betook herself to Mr. Norman,
though with that gentleman she had not even the slightest
acquaintance. With a sulking heart, with a consciousness of her
unreasonableness, but with the eloquence of maternal sorrow, she
made her request. Mr. Norman heard her out with all the calm
propriety of the Weights and Measures, begged to have a day to
consider, and then acceded to the request.

'I think we ought to do it,' said he to Alaric. The mother's
tears had touched his heart, and his sense of duty had prevailed.
Alaric, of course, could now make no further objection, and thus
Charley the Navvy became domesticated with his cousin Alaric and
Harry Norman.

The first great question to be settled, and it is a very great
question with a young man, was that of latch-key or no latch-key.
Mrs. Richards, the landlady, when she made ready the third
bedroom for the young gentleman, would, as was her wont in such
matters, have put a latchkey on the toilet-table as a matter of
course, had she not had some little conversation with Mamma Tudor
regarding her son. Mamma Tudor had implored and coaxed, and
probably bribed Mrs. Richards to do something more than 'take her