Again he looked at the half-crown, and said faintly, “No.”

“The ladies want you not to say anything to the old gentleman about the young gentleman having been upstairs; and I want you too.”

“Is that all?” said the fat boy, evidently very much relieved, as he pocketed the half-crown again. “Of course I ain’t a-going to.”

“You see,” said Mary, “ Mr. Snodgrass is very fond of Miss Emily, and Miss Emily’s very fond of him, and if you were to tell about it, the old gentleman would carry you all away miles into the country, where you’d see nobody.”

“No, no, I won’t tell,” said the fat boy stoutly.

“That’s a dear,” said Mary. “Now it’s time I went upstairs, and got my lady ready for dinner.”

“Don’t go yet,” urged the fat boy.