CHAPTER VIII.
NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

But it was old Oliver who did that for him, not old Oliver's Master.