`No, indeed, Bob, I can't take them,' said Tom, `but don't think I feel your kindness less because I say no. I don't want to take anything from anybody, but to work my own way. And those sovereigns wouldn't help me much - they wouldn't really - if I were to take them. Let me shake hands with you instead.'

Tom put out his pink palm, and Bob was not slow to place his hard, grimy hand within it.

`Let me put the sovereigns in the bag again,' said Maggie, `and you'll come and see us when you've bought your pack, Bob.'

`It's like as if I'd come out o' make-believe, o' purpose to show 'em you,' said Bob, with an air of discontent as Maggie gave him the bag again `a-taking 'em back i' this way. I am a bit of a Do, you know, but it isn't that sort o' Do: it's on'y when a feller's a big rogue or a big flat, I like to let him in a bit, that's all.'

`Now, don't you be up to any tricks Bob,' said Tom, `else you'll get transported some day.'

`No, no; not me Master Tom,' said Bob, with an air of cheerful confidence. `There's no law again' flea-bites. If I wasn't to take a fool in now and then, he'd niver get any wiser. But, lors! hev a suvreign to buy you and Miss summat, on'y for a token - just to match my pocket knife.'

While Bob was speaking he laid down the sovereign and resolutely twisted up his bag again. Tom pushed back the gold, and said, `No, indeed, Bob: thank you heartily; but I can't take it.' And Maggie, taking it between her fingers, held it up to Bob, and said more persuasively,

`Not now - but perhaps another time. If ever Tom or my father wants help that you can give, we'll let you know - won't we, Tom? That's what you would like - to have us always depend on you as a friend that we can go to - isn't it, Bob?'

`Yes, Miss, and thank you,' said Bob, reluctantly taking the money, `that's what I'd like - anything as you like. An'I wish you good-by, Miss, and good luck, Master Tom, and thank you for shaking hands wi' me, though you wouldn't take the money.'

Kezia's entrance, with very black looks, to inquire if she shouldn't bring in tea now, or whether the toast was to get hardened to a brick, was a seasonable check on Bob's flux of words, and hastened his parting bow.