“What do you think them women does t’other day,” continued Mr. Weller, after a short pause, during which he had significantly struck the side of his nose with his forefinger some half-dozen times. “What do you think they does, t’other day, Sammy?”

“Don’t know,” replied Sam, “what?”

“Goes and gets up a grand tea drinkin’ for a feller they calls their shepherd,” said Mr. Weller. “I was a-standing starin’ in at the pictur shop down at our place, when I sees a little bill about it; ‘tickets half-a-crown. All applications to be made to the committee. Secretary, Mrs.