That lady, indeed, treated him with but scant courtesy, and on two occasions had left him to visit Mr.Tasker; Mr.
Vickers's undisguised amusement at such times being hard to bear.
"Don't give up, Bill," he said, encouragingly, as Mr.Russell sat glum and silent; "read over them beautiful 'Verses to a Tea-pot' agin, and try and read them as if you 'adn't got your mouth full o' fish-bait.

You're wasting time." "I don't want none o' your talk," said his disappointed friend.

"If you ain't careful I'll tell Selina about you going up to her papers." The smile faded from Mr.Vickers's face.

"Don't make mischief, Bill," he said, uneasily.
"Well, don't you try and make fun o' me," said Mr.Russell, ferociously.
"Taking the pledge is 'ard enough to bear without having remarks from you." "I didn't mean them to be remarks, Bill," said the other, mildly.

"But if you tell about me, you know, Selina'll see through your little game." "I'm about sick o' the whole thing," said Mr.Russell, desperately.
"I ain't 'ad a drink outside o' my own house for pretty near a fortnight.
I shall ask Selina to-morrow night, and settle it." "Ask her ?" said the amazed Mr.Vickers.