“Yes, ma’am, he’s a pretty boy, he’s a dear darling boy, he’s the child of my own last left daughter’s daughter. But she’s gone the way of all the rest.”

“Those are not his brother and sister?” said Mrs. Boffin.

“Oh, dear no, ma’am. Those are Minders.”

“Minders?” the Secretary repeated.

“Left to be Minded, sir. I keep a Minding-School. I can take only three, on account of the mangle. But I love children, and fourpence a week is fourpence. Come here, Toddles and Poddles.”