As the two friends passed out of the Temple into the public street, Eugene demanded with a show of courteous patronage in which direction Mortimer would you like the run to be? “There is a rather difficult country about Bethnal Green,” said Eugene, “and we have not taken in that direction lately. What is your opinion of Bethnal Green?” Mortimer assented to Bethnal Green, and they turned eastward. “Now, when we come to St. Paul’s churchyard,” pursued Eugene, “we’ll loiter artfully, and I’ll show you the schoolmaster.” But, they both saw him, before they got there; alone, and stealing after them in the shadow of the houses, on the opposite side of the way.

“Get your wind,” said Eugene, “for I am off directly. Does it occur to you that the boys of Merry England will begin to deteriorate in an educational light, if this lasts long? The schoolmaster can’t attend to me and the boys too. Got your wind? I am off!”