“Well, Tommy,” said Mrs. Cluppins, “how’s your poor dear mother?”

“Oh, she’s very well,” replied Master Bardell. “She’s in the front parlour, all ready. I’m ready too, I am.” Here Master Bardell put his hands in his pockets, and jumped off and on the bottom step of the door.

“Is anybody else a-goin’, Tommy?” said Mrs. Cluppins, arranging her pelerine.

“ Mrs. Sanders is going, she is,” replied Tommy; “I’m going too, I am.”

“Drat the boy,” said little Mrs. Cluppins. “He thinks of nobody but himself. Here, Tommy, dear.”

“Well,” said Master Bardell.