`O Pooh! I've plenty else to do,' said Tom, pulling his bell violently and bringing down the small bell-rope.

`I'm frightened - I shall run away,' said Maggie, making a laughing retreat; while Tom, with masculine philosophy, flung the bell-rope to the father end of the room - not very far either: a touch of human experience which I flatter myself will come home to the bosoms of not a few substantial or distinguished men who were once at an early stage of their rise in the world and were cherishing very large hopes in very small lodgings.