CHAPTER XII.
THE LITTLE LADIES AGAIN--THE MEADS--THE DROWNED DOLL "Mr.Buckle, sir, can you oblige me with eight farthings for twopence ?" I had closely copied this form of speech from the apprentice, whose ways, as I have said, I endeavoured in every way to imitate.

Thus, twopence being at that time the extent of my resources, I went about for some days after my adventure at the tinsmith's with all my worldly wealth in my pocket in farthings, pondering many matters.
[Illustration: She rolled abruptly over on her seat and scrambled off backwards.] I began to have my doubts about saddlery as a profession.

Truth to say, a want beyond the cutting and punching of leather had begun to stir within me.

I wished for a sister.

Somehow I had never desired to adopt one of my cousins in this relation, not even my dear friend Polly; but since I had seen the little lady in the white beaver, I felt how nice it would be to have such a sister to play with, as I had heard of other sisters and brothers playing together.