Youcan’tdohalfthethingsyourselfthatchildreninbooksdo，makingmodelsorsoon。Iwonderwhy？
　　ALICE。
　　Ifyoutakeadate’sstoneoutandputinanalmondandeatthemtogether，itisprime。Ifoundthisout。
　　SUB—EDITOR。
　　Ifyouputyourwethandintoboilingleaditwillnothurtyouifyoudrawitoutquicklyenough。Ihavenevertriedthis。
　　DORA。
　　ThePurringClass（INSTRUCTIVEARTICLE）
　　IfIeverkeepaschooleverythingshallbequitedifferent。
　　Nobodyshalllearnanythingtheydon’twantto。Andsometimesinsteadofhavingmastersandmistresseswewillhavecats，andwewilldressupincatskinsandlearnpurring。’Now，mydears，’theoldcatwillsay，one，two，threeallpurrtogether，’andweshallpurrlikeanything。
　　Shewon’tteachustomew，butweshallknowhowwithoutteaching。
　　Childrendoknowsomethingswithoutbeingtaught。
　　ALICE。
　　Poetry（TRANSLATEDINTOFRENCHBYDORA）
　　Quandj’etaisjeuneetj’etaisfouJ’achetaiunviolonpourdix—huitsousEttouslesairsquejejouaiEtaitoverthehillsandfaraway。
　　ANOTHERPIECEOFIT
　　MerciejolievachequifaitBonlaitpourmondejeunerTouslesmatinstouslessoirsMonpainjemange，tonlaitjeboire。
　　RecreationsItisamistaketothinkthatcatsareplayful。Ioftentrytogetacattoplaywithme，andsheneverseemstocareaboutthegame，nomatterhowlittleithurts。
　　H。O。
　　Makingpotsandpanswithclayisfun，butdonottellthegrown—ups。Itisbettertosurprisethem;andthenyoumustsayatoncehoweasilyitwashesoff—mucheasierthanink。
　　DICKY。
　　SamRedfern，ortheBushranger’sBurialBYDICKY
　　’Well，Annie，Ihavebadnewsforyou，’saidMrRidgway，asheenteredthecomfortabledining—roomofhiscabinintheBush。’SamRedferntheBushrangerisaboutthispartoftheBushjustnow。I
　　hopehewillnotattackuswithhisgang。’
　　’Ihopenot，’respondedAnnie，agentlemaidenofsomesixteensummers。
　　justthencameaknockatthedoorofthehut，andagruffvoiceaskedthemtoopenthedoor。
　　’ItisSamRedferntheBushranger，father，’saidthegirl。
　　’Thesame，’respondedthevoice，andthenextmomentthehalldoorwassmashedin，andSamRedfernsprangin，followedbyhisgang。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Annie’sFatherwasatonceoverpowered，andAnnieherselflayboundwithcordsonthedrawing—roomsofa。SamRedfernsetaguardroundthelonelyhut，andallhumanaidwasdespairedof。Butyouneverknow。FarawayintheBushadifferentscenewasbeingenacted。
　　’MustbeInjuns，’saidatallmantohimselfashepushedhiswaythroughthebrushwood。ItwasJimCarlton，thecelebrateddetective。’Iknowthem，’headded;’theyareApaches。’justthentenIndiansinfullwar—paintappeared。Carltonraisedhisrifleandfired，andslingingtheirscalpsonhisarmhehastenedtowardsthehumbleloghutwhereresidedhisaffiancedbride，AnnieRidgway，sometimesknownastheFloweroftheBush。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Themoonwaslowonthehorizon，andSamRedfernwasseatedatadrinkingboutwithsomeofhisbooncompanions。
　　Theyhadrifledthecellarsofthehut，andtherichwinesflowedlikewaterinthegoldengobletsofMrRidgway。
　　ButAnniehadmadefriendswithoneofthegang，anoble，good—heartedmanwhohadjoinedSamRedfernbymistake，andshehadtoldhimtogoandgetthepoliceasquicklyaspossible。
　　’Ha！ha！’criedRedfern，’nowIamenjoyingmyself！’Helittleknewthathisdoomwasnearuponhim。
　　JustthenAnniegaveapiercingscream，andSamRedferngotup，seizinghisrevolver。’Whoareyou？’hecried，asamanentered。
　　’IamJimCarlton，thecelebrateddetective，’saidthenewarrival。
　　SamRedfern’srevolverdroppedfromhisnervelessfingers，butthenextmomenthehadsprunguponthedetectivewiththewell—knownactivityofthemountainsheep，andAnnieshrieked，forshehadgrowntolovetheroughBushranger。
　　（Tobecontinuedattheendofthepaperifthereisroom。）
　　ScholasticAnewslateishorridtillitiswashedinmilk。Ilikethegreenspotsonthemtodrawpatternsround。Iknowagoodwaytomakeaslate—pencilsqueak，butIwon’tputitinbecauseIdon’twanttomakeitcommon。SUB—EDITOR。
　　Peppermintisagreathelpwitharithmetic。TheboywhowassecondintheOxfordLocalalwaysdidit。Hegavemetwo。Theexaminersaidtohim，’Areyoueatingpeppermints？’Andhesaid，’No，Sir。’
　　Hetoldmeafterwardsitwasquitetrue，becausehewasonlysuckingone。I’mgladIwasn’tasked。Ishouldneverhavethoughtofthat，andIcouldhavehadtosay’Yes。’
　　OSWALD。
　　TheWreckofthe’Malabar’
　　BYNOEL（Authorof’ADreamofAncientAncestors。’）Heisn’treally—butheputitintomakeitseemmorereal。
　　Hark！whatisthatnoiseofrollingWavesandthunderintheair？
　　’Tisthedeath—knellofthesailorsAndofficersandpassengersofthegoodshipMalabar。
　　ItwasafairandlovelynoonWhenthegoodshipputoutofportAndpeoplesaid’ahlittlewethinkHowsoonshewillbetheelements’sport。’
　　ShewasindeedalovelysightUponthebillowswithsailsspread。
　　Butthecaptainfoldedhisgloomyarms，Ah—ifshehadbeenalife—boatinstead！
　　SeethecaptainsternyetgloomyFlingshissonuponarock，HopingthattherehisdarlingboyMayescapethewreck。
　　AlasinvaintheloudwindsroaredAndnobodywassaved。
　　ThatwasthewreckoftheMalabar，Thenletustollforthebrave。
　　NOEL。
　　GardeningNotesItisuselesstoplantcherry—stonesinthehopeofeatingthefruit，becausetheydon’t！
　　Alicewon’tlendhergardeningtoolsagain，becausethelasttimeNoelleftthemoutintherain，andIdon’tlikeit。Hesaidhedidn’t。
　　SeedsandBulbsTheseareusefultoplayatshopwith，untilyouareready。Notatdinner—parties，fortheywillnotgrowunlessuncooked。Potatoesarenotgrownwithseed，butwithchopped—uppotatoes。Appletreesaregrownfromtwigs，whichislesswasteful。
　　Oaktreescomefromacorns。Everyoneknowsthis。WhenNoelsayshecouldgrowonefromapeachstonewrappedupinoakleaves，heshowsthatheknowsnothingaboutgardeningbutmarigolds，andwhenIpassedbyhisgardenIthoughttheyseemedjustlikeweedsnowtheflowershavebeenpicked。
　　Aboyoncedaredmetoeatabulb。
　　Dogsareveryindustriousandfondofgardening。Pincherisalwaysplantingbones，buttheynevergrowup。Therecouldn’tbeabonetree。Ithinkthisiswhatmakeshimbarksounhappilyatnight。
　　Hehasnevertriedplantingdog—biscuit，butheisfonderofbones，andperhapshewantstobequitesureaboutthemfirst。
　　SamRedfern，ortheBushranger’sBurialBYDICKY
　　CHAPTERIVANDLAST
　　ThiswouldhavebeenajollygoodstoryiftheyhadletmefinishitatthebeginningofthepaperasIwantedto。ButnowIhaveforgottenhowImeantittoend，andIhavelostmybookaboutRedIndians，andallmyBoysofEnglandhavebeensneaked。Thegirlssay’Goodriddance！’soIexpecttheydidit。TheywantmejusttoputinwhichAnniemarried，butIshan’t，sotheywillneverknow。
　　Wehavenowputeverythingwecanthinkofintothepaper。Ittakesalotofthinkingabout。Idon’tknowhowgrown—upsmanagetowritealltheydo。Itmustmaketheirheadsache，especiallylessonbooks。
　　Albert—next—dooronlywroteonechapteroftheserialstory，buthecouldhavedonesomemoreifhehadwantedto。Hecouldnotwriteoutanyofthethingsbecausehecannotspell。Hesayshecan，butittakeshimsuchalongtimehemightjustaswellnotbeable。
　　Thereareoneortwothingsmore。Iamsickofit，butDorasaysshewillwritethemin。
　　Legalanswerwanted。Aquantityofexcellentstringisofferedifyouknowwhethertherereallyisalawpassedaboutnotbuyinggunpowderunderthirteen。
　　DICKY。
　　Thepriceofthispaperisoneshillingeach，andsixpenceextraforthepictureoftheMalabargoingdownwithallhands。Ifwesellonehundredcopieswewillwriteanotherpaper。
　　Andsowewouldhavedone，butweneverdid。Albert—next—door’sunclegaveustwoshillings，thatwasall。Youcan’trestorefallenfortuneswithtwoshillings！
　　CHAPTER9
　　THEG。B。
　　Beingeditorsisnotthebestwaytowealth。Weallfeelthisnow，andhighwaymenarenotrespectedanymoreliketheyusedtobe。
　　Iamsurewehadtriedourbesttorestoreourfallenfortunes。Wefelttheirfallverymuch，becauseweknewtheBastableshadbeenrichonce。DoraandOswaldcanrememberwhenFatherwasalwaysbringingnicethingshomefromLondon，andthereusedtobeturkeysandgeeseandwineandcigarscomebythecarrieratChristmas—time，andboxesofcandiedfruitandFrenchplumsinornamentalboxeswithsilkandvelvetandgildingonthem。Theywerecalledprunes，buttheprunesyoubuyatthegrocer’sarequitedifferent。ButnowthereisseldomanythingnicebroughtfromLondon，andtheturkeyandtheprunepeoplehaveforgottenFather’saddress。
　　’Howcanwerestorethosebeastlyfallenfortunes？’saidOswald。
　　’We’vetrieddiggingandwritingandprincessesandbeingeditors。’
　　’Andbeingbandits，’saidH。O。
　　’Whendidyoutrythat？’askedDoraquickly。’YouknowItoldyouitwaswrong。’
　　’Itwasn’twrongthewaywedidit，’saidAlice，quickerstill，beforeOswaldcouldsay，’Whoaskedyoutotellusanythingaboutit？’whichwouldhavebeenrude，andheisgladhedidn’t。’WeonlycaughtAlbert—next—door。’
　　’Oh，Albert—next—door！’saidDoracontemptuously，andIfeltmorecomfortable;forevenafterIdidn’tsay，’Whoaskedyou，andcetera，’IwasafraidDorawasgoingtocomethegoodeldersisteroverus。Shedoesthatajollysighttoooften。
　　Dickylookedupfromthepaperhewasreadingandsaid，’Thissoundslikely，’andhereadout—
　　l100securespartnershipinlucrativebusinessforsaleofusefulpatent。l10weekly。Nopersonalattendancenecessary。Jobbins，300，OldStreetRoad。
　　’Iwishwecouldsecurethatpartnership，’saidOswald。Heistwelve，andaverythoughtfulboyforhisage。
　　Alicelookedupfromherpainting。Shewastryingtopaintafairyqueen’sfrockwithgreenbice，anditwouldn’trub。Thereissomethingfunnyaboutgreenbice。Itneverwillruboff;nomatterhowexpensiveyourpaintboxis—andevenboilingwaterisverylittleuse。
　　Shesaid，’Botherthebice！And，Oswald，it’snousethinkingaboutthat。Wherearewetogetahundredpounds？’
　　’Tenpoundsaweekisfivepoundstous，’Oswaldwenton—hehaddonethesuminhisheadwhileAlicewastalking—’becausepartnershipmeanshalves。Itwouldbel5。’
　　Noelsatsuckinghispencil—hehadbeenwritingpoetryasusual。
　　Isawthefirsttwolines—
　　IwonderwhyGreenBiceIsneververynice。
　　Suddenlyhesaid，’Iwishafairywouldcomedownthechimneyanddropajewelonthetable—ajewelworthjustahundredpounds。’
　　’Shemightaswellgiveyouthehundredpoundswhileshewasaboutit，’saidDora。
　　’Orwhileshewasaboutitshemightaswellgiveusfivepoundsaweek，’saidAlice。’Orfifty，’saidI。’Orfivehundred，’saidDicky。
　　IsawH。O。openhismouth，andIknewhewasgoingtosay，’Orfivethousand，’soIsaid：
　　’Well，shewon’tgiveusfivepence，butifyou’donlydoasIamalwayssaying，andrescueawealthyoldgentlemanfromdeadlyperilhewouldgiveusapotofmoney，andwecouldhavethepartnershipandfivepoundsaweek。Fivepoundsaweekwouldbuyagreatmanythings。’
　　ThenDickysaid，’Whyshouldn’tweborrowit？’Sowesaid，’Whofrom？’andthenhereadthisoutofthepaper—
　　MONEYPRIVATELYWITHOUTFEEsTHEBONDSTREETBANK
　　Manager，Z。Rosenbaum。
　　Advancescashfroml20tol10，000onladies’orgentlemen’snoteofhandalone，withoutsecurity。Nofees。Noinquiries。Absoluteprivacyguaranteed。
　　’Whatdoesitallmean？’askedH。O。
　　’Itmeansthatthereisakindgentlemanwhohasalotofmoney，andhedoesn’tknowenoughpoorpeopletohelp，soheputsitinthepaperthathewillhelpthem，bylendingthemhismoney—
　　that’sit，isn’tit，Dicky？’
　　DoraexplainedthisandDickysaid，’Yes。’AndH。O。saidhewasaGenerousBenefactor，likeinMissEdgeworth。ThenNoelwantedtoknowwhatanoteofhandwas，andDickyknewthat，becausehehadreaditinabook，anditwasjustalettersayingyouwillpaythemoneywhenyoucan，andsignedwithyourname。
　　’Noinquiries！’saidAlice。’Oh—Dicky—doyouthinkhewould？’
　　’Yes，Ithinkso，’saidDicky。’IwonderFatherdoesn’tgotothiskindgentleman。I’veseenhisnamebeforeonacircularinFather’sstudy。’
　　’Perhapshehas。’saidDora。
　　Buttherestofusweresurehehadn’t，because，ofcourse，ifhehad，therewouldhavebeenmoremoneytobuynicethings。justthenPincherjumpedupandknockedoverthepainting—water。Heisaverycarelessdog。Iwonderwhypainting—waterisalwayssuchanuglycolour？Doraranforadustertowipeitup，andH。O。
　　droppeddropsofthewateronhishandsandsaidhehadgottheplague。Soweplayedattheplagueforabit，andIwasanArabphysicianwithabath—towelturban，andcuredtheplaguewithmagicacid—drops。Afterthatitwastimefordinner，andafterdinnerwetalkeditalloverandsettledthatwewouldgoandseetheGenerousBenefactortheverynextday。ButwethoughtperhapstheG。B。—itisshortforGenerousBenefactor—wouldnotlikeitifthereweresomanyofus。Ihaveoftennoticedthatitistheworstofourbeingsix—peoplethinksixagreatmany，whenit’schildren。Thatsentencelookswrongsomehow。Imeantheydon’tmindsixpairsofboots，orsixpoundsofapples，orsixoranges，especiallyinequations，buttheyseemtothinkyououghtnottohavefivebrothersandsisters。OfcourseDickywastogo，becauseitwashisidea。DorahadtogotoBlackheathtoseeanoldlady，afriendofFather’s，soshecouldn’tgo。Alicesaidsheoughttogo，becauseitsaid，’Ladiesandgentlemen，’andperhapstheG。B。
　　wouldn’tletushavethemoneyunlesstherewerebothkindsofus。
　　H。O。saidAlicewasn’talady;andshesaidhewasn’tgoing，anyway。Thenhecalledheradisagreeablecat，andshebegantocry。
　　ButOswaldalwaystriestomakeupquarrels，sohesaid—
　　’You’relittlesillies，bothofyou！’
　　AndDorasaid，’Don’tcry，Alice;heonlymeantyouweren’tagrown—uplady。’
　　ThenH。O。said，’WhatelsedidyouthinkImeant，Disagreeable？’
　　SoDickysaid，’Don’tbedisagreeableyourself，H。O。Letheraloneandsayyou’resorry，orI’lljollywellmakeyou！’
　　SoH。O。saidhewassorry。ThenAlicekissedhimandsaidshewassorrytoo;andafterthatH。O。gaveherahug，andsaid，’NowI’mreallyandtrulysorry，’Soitwasallright。
　　NoelwentthelasttimeanyofuswenttoLondon，sohewasoutofit，andDorasaidshewouldtakehimtoBlackheathifwe’dtakeH。
　　O。Soasthere’dbeenalittledisagreeablenesswethoughtitwasbettertotakehim，andwedid。Atfirstwethoughtwe’dtearouroldestthingsabitmore，andputsomepatchesofdifferentcoloursonthem，toshowtheG。B。howmuchwewantedmoney。ButDorasaidthatwouldbeasortofcheating，pretendingwewerepoorerthanweare。AndDoraisrightsometimes，thoughsheisoureldersister。
　　Thenwethoughtwe’dbetterwearourbestthings，sothattheG。B。
　　mightseeweweren’tsoverypoorthathecouldn’ttrustustopayhismoneybackwhenwehadit。ButDorasaidthatwouldbewrongtoo。Soitcametoourbeingquitehonest，asDorasaid，andgoingjustaswewere，withoutevenwashingourfacesandhands;butwhenIlookedatH。O。inthetrainIwishedwehadnotbeenquitesoparticularlyhonest。
　　Everyonewhoreadsthisknowswhatitisliketogointhetrain，soIshallnottellaboutit—thoughitwasratherfun，especiallythepartwheretheguardcamefortheticketsatWaterloo，andH。
　　O。wasundertheseatandpretendedtobeadogwithoutaticket。
　　WewenttoCharingCross，andwejustwentroundtoWhitehalltoseethesoldiersandthenbyStJames’sforthesamereason—andwhenwe’dlookedintheshopsabitwegottoBrookStreet，BondStreet。Itwasabrassplateonadoornexttoashop—averygrandplace，wheretheysoldbonnetsandhats—allverybrightandsmart，andnoticketsonthemtotellyoutheprice。WerangabellandaboyopenedthedoorandweaskedforMrRosenbaum。Theboywasnotpolite;hedidnotaskusin。SothenDickygavehimhisvisitingcard;itwasoneofFather’sreally，butthenameisthesame，MrRichardBastable，andweotherswroteournamesunderneath。Ihappenedtohaveapieceofpinkchalkinmypocketandwewrotethemwiththat。
　　Thentheboyshutthedoorinourfacesandwewaitedonthestep。
　　Butpresentlyhecamedownandaskedourbusiness。SoDickysaid—
　　’Moneyadvanced，youngshaver！anddon’tbealldayaboutit！’
　　Andthenhemadeuswaitagain，tillIwasquitestiffinmylegs，butAlicelikeditbecauseoflookingatthehatsandbonnets，andatlastthedooropened，andtheboysaid—
　　’MrRosenbaumwillseeyou，’sowewipedourfeetonthemat，whichsaidso，andwewentupstairswithsoftcarpetsandintoaroom。
　　Itwasabeautifulroom。Iwishedthenwehadputonourbestthings，oratleastwashedalittle。Butitwastoolatenow。
　　Theroomhadvelvetcurtainsandasoft，softcarpet，anditwasfullofthemostsplendidthings。Blackandgoldcabinets，andchina，andstatues，andpictures。Therewasapictureofacabbageandapheasantandadeadharethatwasjustlikelife，andIwouldhavegivenworldstohaveitformyown。ThefurwassonaturalI
　　shouldneverhavebeentiredoflookingatit;butAlicelikedtheoneofthegirlwiththebrokenjugbest。Thenbesidesthepicturestherewereclocksandcandlesticksandvases，andgiltlooking—glasses，andboxesofcigarsandscentandthingslitteredalloverthechairsandtables。Itwasawonderfulplace，andinthemiddleofallthesplendourwasalittleoldgentlemanwithaverylongblackcoatandaverylongwhitebeardandahookeynose—likeafalcon。Andheputonapairofgoldspectaclesandlookedatusasifheknewexactlyhowmuchourclotheswereworth。
　　Andthen，whileweelderoneswerethinkinghowtobegin，forwehadallsaid’Goodmorning’aswecamein，ofcourse，H。O。beganbeforewecouldstophim。Hesaid：
　　’AreyoutheG。B。？’
　　’Thewhat？’saidthelittleoldgentleman。
　　’TheG。B。，’saidH。O。，andIwinkedathimtoshutup，buthedidn’tseeme，andtheG。B。did。Hewavedhishandatmetoshutup，soIhadto，andH。O。wenton—’ItstandsforGenerousBenefactor。’
　　Theoldgentlemanfrowned。Thenhesaid，’YourFathersentyouhere，Isuppose？’
　　’Nohedidn’t，’saidDicky。’Whydidyouthinkso？’
　　Theoldgentlemanheldoutthecard，andIexplainedthatwetookthatbecauseFather’snamehappenstobethesameasDicky’s。
　　’Doesn’theknowyou’vecome？’
　　’No，’saidAlice，’weshan’ttellhimtillwe’vegotthepartnership，becausehisownbusinessworrieshimagooddealandwedon’twanttobotherhimwithourstillit’ssettled，andthenweshallgivehimhalfourshare。’
　　Theoldgentlemantookoffhisspectaclesandrumpledhishairwithhishands，thenhesaid，’Thenwhatdidyoucomefor？’
　　’Wesawyouradvertisement，’Dickysaid，’andwewantahundredpoundsonournoteofhand，andmysistercamesothatthereshouldbebothkindsofus;andwewantittobuyapartnershipwithinthelucrativebusinessforsaleofusefulpatent。Nopersonalattendancenecessary。’
　　’Idon’tthinkIquitefollowyou，’saidtheG。B。’ButonethingIshouldlikesettledbeforeenteringmorefullyintothematter：
　　whydidyoucallmeGenerousBenefactor？’
　　’Well，yousee，’saidAlice，smilingathimtoshowshewasn’tfrightened，thoughIknowreallyshewas，awfully，’wethoughtitwassoverykindofyoutotrytofindoutthepoorpeoplewhowantmoneyandtohelpthemandlendthemyourmoney。’
　　’Hum！’saidtheG。B。’Sitdown。’
　　Heclearedtheclocksandvasesandcandlesticksoffsomeofthechairs，andwesatdown。Thechairswerevelvety，withgiltlegs。
　　Itwaslikeaking’spalace。
　　’Now，’hesaid，’yououghttobeatschool，insteadofthinkingaboutmoney。Whyaren’tyou？’
　　WetoldhimthatweshouldgotoschoolagainwhenFathercouldmanageit，butmeantimewewantedtodosomethingtorestorethefallenfortunesoftheHouseofBastable。Andwesaidwethoughtthelucrativepatentwouldbeaverygoodthing。Heaskedalotofquestions，andwetoldhimeverythingwedidn’tthinkFatherwouldmindourtelling，andatlasthesaid—
　　’Youwishtoborrowmoney。Whenwillyourepayit？’
　　’Assoonaswe’vegotit，ofcourse，’Dickysaid。
　　ThentheG。B。saidtoOswald，’Youseemtheeldest，’butI
　　explainedtohimthatitwasDicky’sidea，somybeingeldestdidn’tmatter。ThenhesaidtoDicky—’Youareaminor，I
　　presume？’
　　Dickysaidhewasn’tyet，buthehadthoughtofbeingaminingengineersomeday，andgoingtoKlondike。
　　’Minor，notminer，’saidtheG。B。’Imeanyou’renotofage？’
　　’Ishallbeintenyears，though，’saidDicky。
　　’Thenyoumightrepudiatetheloan，’saidtheG。B。，andDickysaid’What？’
　　Ofcourseheoughttohavesaid’Ibegyourpardon。Ididn’tquitecatchwhatyousaid’—thatiswhatOswaldwouldhavesaid。Itismorepolitethan’What。’
　　’Repudiatetheloan，’theG。B—repeated。’Imeanyoumightsayyouwouldnotpaymebackthemoney，andthelawcouldnotcompelyoutodoso。’
　　’Oh，well，ifyouthinkwe’resuchsneaks，’saidDicky，andhegotupoffhischair。ButtheG。B。said，’Sitdown，sitdown;Iwasonlyjoking。’
　　Thenhetalkedsomemore，andatlasthesaid—’Idon’tadviseyoutoenterintothatpartnership。It’saswindle。Manyadvertisementsare。AndIhavenotahundredpoundsbymeto—daytolendyou。ButIwilllendyouapound，andyoucanspenditasyoulike。Andwhenyouaretwenty—oneyoushallpaymeback。’
　　’Ishallpayyoubacklongbeforethat，’saidDicky。’Thanks，awfully！Andwhataboutthenoteofhand？’
　　’Oh，’saidtheG。B。，’I’lltrusttoyourhonour。Betweengentlemen，youknow—andladies’—hemadeabeautifulbowtoAlice—’awordisasgoodasabond。’
　　Thenhetookoutasovereign，andhelditinhishandwhilehetalkedtous。Hegaveusalotofgoodadviceaboutnotgoingintobusinesstooyoung，andaboutdoingourlessons—justswattingabit，onourownhook，soasnottobeputinalowformwhenwewentbacktoschool。Andallthetimehewasstrokingthesovereignandlookingatitasifhethoughtitverybeautiful。
　　Andsoitwas，foritwasanewone。ThenatlasthehelditouttoDicky，andwhenDickyputouthishandforittheG。B。suddenlyputthesovereignbackinhispocket。
　　’No，’hesaid，’Iwon’tgiveyouthesovereign。I’llgiveyoufifteenshillings，andthisnicebottleofscent。It’sworthfarmorethanthefiveshillingsI’mchargingyouforit。And，whenyoucan，youshallpaymebackthepound，andsixtypercentinterest—sixtypercent，sixtypercent。’
　　’What’sthat？’saidH。O。
　　TheG。B。saidhe’dtellusthatwhenwepaidbackthesovereign，butsixtypercentwasnothingtobeafraidof。HegaveDickythemoney。Andtheboywasmadetocallacab，andtheG。B。putusinandshookhandswithusall，andaskedAlicetogivehimakiss，soshedid，andH。O。woulddoittoo，thoughhisfacewasdirtierthanever。TheG。B。paidthecabmanandtoldhimwhatstationtogoto，andsowewenthome。
　　ThateveningFatherhadaletterbytheseven—o’clockpost。Andwhenhehadreadithecameupintothenursery。Hedidnotlookquitesounhappyasusual，buthelookedgrave。
　　’You’vebeentoMrRosenbaum’s，’hesaid。
　　Sowetoldhimallaboutit。Ittookalongtime，andFathersatinthearmchair。Itwasjolly。Hedoesn’toftencomeandtalktousnow。Hehastospendallhistimethinkingabouthisbusiness。
　　Andwhenwe’dtoldhimallaboutithesaid—
　　’Youhaven’tdoneanyharmthistime，children;rathergoodthanharm，indeed。MrRosenbaumhaswrittenmeaverykindletter。’
　　’Isheafriendofyours，Father？’Oswaldasked。
　　’Heisanacquaintance，’saidmyfather，frowningalittle，’wehavedonesomebusinesstogether。Andthisletter—’hestoppedandthensaid：’No;youdidn’tdoanyharmto—day;butIwantyouforthefuturenottodoanythingsoseriousastotrytobuyapartnershipwithoutconsultingme，that’sall。Idon’twanttointerferewithyourplaysandpleasures;butyouwillconsultmeaboutbusinessmatters，won’tyou？’
　　Ofcoursewesaidweshouldbedelighted，butthenAlice，whowassittingonhisknee，said，’Wedidn’tliketobotheryou。’
　　Fathersaid，’Ihaven’tmuchtimetobewithyou，formybusinesstakesmostofmytime。Itisananxiousbusiness—butIcan’tbeartothinkofyourbeingleftallalonelikethis。’
　　Helookedsosadweallsaidwelikedbeingalone。Andthenhelookedsadderthanever。
　　ThenAlicesaid，’Wedon’tmeanthatexactly，Father。Itisratherlonelysometimes，sinceMotherdied。’Thenwewereallquietalittlewhile。Fatherstayedwithustillwewenttobed，andwhenhesaidgoodnighthelookedquitecheerful。Sowetoldhimso，andhesaid—’Well，thefactis，thatlettertookaweightoffmymind。’Ican’tthinkwhathemeant—butIamsuretheG。B。wouldbepleasedifhecouldknowhehadtakenaweightoffsomebody’smind。Heisthatsortofman，Ithink。
　　WegavethescenttoDora。Itisnotquitesuchgoodscentaswethoughtitwouldbe，butwehadfifteenshillings—andtheywereallgood，soistheG。B。
　　Anduntilthosefifteenshillingswerespentwefeltalmostasjollyasthoughourfortuneshadbeenproperlyrestored。Youdonotnoticeyourgeneralfortunesomuch，aslongasyouhavemoneyinyourpocket。Thisiswhysomanychildrenwithregularpocket—moneyhaveneverfeltittheirdutytoseekfortreasure。
　　So，perhaps，ournothavingpocket—moneywasablessingindisguise。Butthedisguisewasquiteimpenetrable，likethevillains’inthebooks;anditseemedstillmoresowhenthefifteenshillingswereallspent。ThenatlasttheothersagreedtoletOswaldtryhiswayofseekingfortreasure，buttheywerenotatallkeenaboutit，andmanyaboylessfirmthanOswaldwouldhavechuckedthewholething。ButOswaldknewthataheromustrelyonhimselfalone。Sohestucktoit，andpresentlytheotherssawtheirduty，andbackedhimup。
　　CHAPTER10
　　LORDTOTTENHAM
　　Oswaldisaboyoffirmandunswervingcharacter，andhehadneverwaveredfromhisfirstidea。Hefeltquitecertainthatthebookswereright，andthatthebestwaytorestorefallenfortuneswastorescueanoldgentlemanindistress。Thenhebringsyouupashisownson：butifyoupreferredtogoonbeingyourownfather’ssonIexpecttheoldgentlemanwouldmakeituptoyousomeotherway。
　　Inthebookstheleastthingdoesit—youputuptherailwaycarriagewindow—oryoupickuphispursewhenhedropsit—oryousayahymnwhenhesuddenlyasksyouto，andthenyourfortuneismade。
　　Theothers，asIsaid，wereveryslackaboutit，anddidnotseemtocaremuchabouttryingtherescue。Theysaidtherewasn’tanydeadlyperil，andweshouldhavetomakeonebeforewecouldrescuetheoldgentlemanfromit，butOswalddidn’tseethatthatmattered。However，hethoughthewouldtrysomeoftheeasierwaysfirst，byhimself。
　　Sohewaitedaboutthestation，pullinguprailwaycarriagewindowsforoldgentlemenwholookedlikely—butnothinghappened，andatlasttheporterssaidhewasanuisance。Sothatwasnogo。Nooneeveraskedhimtosayahymn，thoughhehadlearnedaniceshortone，beginning’Neweverymorning’—andwhenanoldgentlemandiddropatwo—shillingpiecejustbyEllis’sthehairdresser’s，andOswaldpickeditup，andwasjustthinkingwhatheshouldsaywhenhereturnedit，theoldgentlemancaughthimbythecollarandcalledhimayoungthief。ItwouldhavebeenveryunpleasantforOswaldifhehadn’thappenedtobeaverybraveboy，andknewthepolicemanonthatbeatverywellindeed。Sothepolicemanbackedhimup，andtheoldgentlemansaidhewassorry，andofferedOswaldsixpence。Oswaldrefuseditwithpolitedisdain，andnothingmorehappenedatall。
　　WhenOswaldhadtriedbyhimselfandithadnotcomeoff，hesaidtotheothers，’We’rewastingourtime，nottryingtorescuetheoldgentlemanindeadlyperil。Come—buckup！Dolet’sdosomething！’
　　Itwasdinner—time，andPincherwasgoingroundgettingthebitsofftheplates。Therewereplentybecauseitwascold—muttonday。
　　AndAlicesaid—
　　’It’sonlyfairtotryOswald’sway—hehastriedallthethingstheothersthoughtof。Whycouldn’twerescueLordTottenham？’
　　LordTottenhamistheoldgentlemanwhowalksovertheHeatheverydayinapapercollaratthreeo’clock—andwhenhegetshalfway，ifthereisnooneabout，hechangeshiscollarandthrowsthedirtyoneintothefurze—bushes。
　　Dickysaid，’LordTottenham’sallright—butwhere’sthedeadlyperil？’
　　Andwecouldn’tthinkofany。TherearenohighwaymenonBlackheathnow，Iamsorrytosay。AndthoughOswaldsaidhalfofuscouldbehighwaymenandtheotherhalfrescueparty，Dorakeptonsayingitwouldbewrongtobeahighwayman—andsowehadtogivethatup。
　　ThenAlicesaid，’WhataboutPincher？’
　　Andweallsawatoncethatitcouldbedone。
　　Pincherisverywellbred，andhedoesknowoneortwothings，thoughwenevercouldteachhimtobeg。Butifyoutellhimtoholdon—hewilldoit，evenifyouonlysay’Seizehim！’inawhisper。
　　Sowearrangeditall。Dorasaidshewouldn’tplay;shesaidshethoughtitwaswrong，andsheknewitwassilly—soweleftherout，andshewentandsatinthedining—roomwithagoody—book，soastobeabletosayshedidn’thaveanythingtodowithit，ifwegotintoarowoverit。
　　AliceandH。O。weretohideinthefurze—bushesjustbywhereLordTottenhamchangeshiscollar，andtheyweretowhisper，’Seizehim！’toPincher;andthenwhenPincherhadseizedLordTottenhamweweretogoandrescuehimfromhisdeadlyperil。Andhewouldsay，’HowcanIrewardyou，mynobleyoungpreservers？’anditwouldbeallright。
　　SowewentuptotheHeath。Wewereafraidofbeinglate。OswaldtoldtheotherswhatProcrastinationwas—sotheygottothefurze—bushesalittleaftertwoo’clock，anditwasrathercold。
　　AliceandH。O。andPincherhid，butPincherdidnotlikeitanymorethantheydid，andaswethreewalkedupanddownweheardhimwhining。AndAlicekeptsaying，’Iamsocold！Isn’thecomingyet？’AndH。O。wantedtocomeoutandjumpabouttowarmhimself。
　　ButwetoldhimhemustlearntobeaSpartanboy，andthatheoughttobeverythankfulhehadn’tgotabeastlyfoxeatinghisinsideallthetime。H。O。isourlittlebrother，andwearenotgoingtoletitbeourfaultifhegrowsupamilksop。Besides，itwasnotreallycold。Itwashisknees—hewearssocks。Sotheystayedwheretheywere。Andatlast，wheneventheotherthreewhowerewalkingaboutwerebeginningtofeelratherchilly，wesawLordTottenham’sbigblackcloakcomingalong，flappinginthewindlikeagreatbird。SowesaidtoAlice—
　　’Hist！heapproaches。You’llknowwhentosetPincheronbyhearingLordTottenhamtalkingtohimself—healwaysdoeswhileheistakingoffhiscollar。’
　　Thenwethreewalkedslowlyawaywhistlingtoshowwewerenotthinkingofanything。Ourlipswererathercold，butwemanagedtodoit。
　　LordTottenhamcamestridingalong，talkingtohimself。PeoplecallhimthemadProtectionist。Idon’tknowwhatitmeans—butIdon’tthinkpeopleoughttocallaLordsuchnames。
　　Ashepassedushesaid，’Ruinofthecountry，sir！Fatalerror，fatalerror！’AndthenwelookedbackandsawhewasgettingquitenearwherePincherwas，andAliceandH。O。Wewalkedon—sothatheshouldn’tthinkwewerelooking—andinaminuteweheardPincher’sbark，andthennothingforabit;andthenwelookedround，andsureenoughgoodoldPincherhadgotLordTottenhambythetrouserlegandwasholdingonlikebilly—ho，sowestartedtorun。
　　LordTottenhamhadgothiscollarhalfoff—itwasstickingoutsidewaysunderhisear—andhewasshouting，’Help，help，murder！’
　　exactlyasifsomeonehadexplainedtohimbeforehandwhathewastodo。Pincherwasgrowlingandsnarlingandholdingon。WhenwegottohimIstoppedandsaid—
　　’Dicky，wemustrescuethisgoodoldman。’LordTottenhamroaredinhisfury，’Goodoldmanbe—’somethingorothered。’Callthedogoff。’
　　SoOswaldsaid。’Itisadangeroustask—butwhowouldhesitatetodoanactoftruebravery？’
　　AndallthewhilePincherwasworryingandsnarling，andLordTottenhamshoutingtoustogetthedogaway。HewasdancingaboutintheroadwithPincherhangingonlikegrimdeath;andhiscollarflappingabout，whereitwasundone。
　　ThenNoelsaid，’Haste，ereyetitbetoolate。’SoIsaidtoLordTottenham—
　　’Standstill，agedsir，andIwillendeavourtoalleviateyourdistress。’
　　Hestoodstill，andIstoopeddownandcaughtholdofPincherandwhispered，’Dropit，sir;dropit！’
　　SothenPincherdroppedit，andLordTottenhamfastenedhiscollaragain—heneverdoeschangeitifthere’sanyonelooking—andhesaid—
　　I’mmuchobliged，I’msure。Nastyviciousbrute！Here’ssomethingtodrinkmyhealth。’
　　ButDickyexplainedthatweareteetotallers，anddonotdrinkpeople’shealths。SoLordTottenhamsaid，’Well，I’mmuchobligedanyway。AndnowIcometolookatyou—ofcourse，you’renotyoungruffians，butgentlemen’ssons，eh？Still，youwon’tbeabovetakingatipfromanoldboy—Iwasn’twhenIwasyourage，’
　　andhepulledouthalfasovereign。
　　Itwasverysilly;butnowwe’ddoneitIfeltitwouldbebeastlymeantotaketheoldboy’schinkafterputtinghiminsuchafunk。
　　Hedidn’tsayanythingaboutbringingusupashisownsons—soI
　　didn’tknowwhattodo。IletPinchergo，andwasjustgoingtosayhewasverywelcome，andwe’drathernothavethemoney，whichseemedthebestwayoutofit，whenthatbeastlydogspoiledthewholeshow。DirectlyIlethimgohebegantojumpaboutatusandbarkforjoy，andtrytolickourfaces。Hewassoproudofwhathe’ddone。LordTottenhamopenedhiseyesandhejustsaid，’Thedogseemstoknowyou。’
　　AndthenOswaldsawitwasallup，andhesaid，’Goodmorning，’andtriedtogetaway。ButLordTottenhamsaid—
　　’Notsofast！’AndhecaughtNoelbythecollar。Noelgaveahowl，andAliceranoutfromthebushes。NoElisherfavourite。
　　I’msureIdon’tknowwhy。LordTottenhamlookedather，andhesaid—
　　Sotherearemoreofyou！’AndthenH。O。cameout。
　　’Doyoucompletetheparty？’LordTottenhamaskedhim。AndH。O。
　　saidtherewereonlyfiveofusthistime。
　　LordTottenhamturnedsharpoffandbegantowalkaway，holdingNoelbythecollar。Wecaughtupwithhim，andaskedhimwherehewasgoing，andhesaid，’TothePoliceStation。’SothenIsaidquitepolitely，’Well，don’ttakeNoel;he’snotstrong，andheeasilygetsupset。Besides，itwasn’thisdoing。Ifyouwanttotakeanyonetakeme—itwasmyveryownidea。’
　　Dickybehavedverywell。Hesaid，’IfyoutakeOswaldI’llgotoo，butdon’ttakeNoel;he’ssuchadelicatelittlechap。’
　　LordTottenhamstopped，andhesaid，’Youshouldhavethoughtofthatbefore。’NoElwashowlingallthetime，andhisfacewasverywhite，andAlicesaid—
　　’Oh，doletNoelgo，dear，good，kindLordTottenham;he’llfaintifyoudon’t，Iknowhewill，hedoessometimes。Oh，Iwishwe’dneverdoneit！Dorasaiditwaswrong。’
　　’Doradisplayedconsiderablecommonsense，’saidLordTottenham，andheletNoelgo。AndAliceputherarmroundNoelandtriedtocheerhimup，buthewasalltrembly，andaswhiteaspaper。ThenLordTottenhamsaid—
　　’Willyougivemeyourwordofhonournottotrytoescape？’
　　Sowesaidwewould。
　　’Thenfollowme，’hesaid，andledthewaytoabench。Weallfollowed，andPinchertoo，withhistailbetweenhislegs—heknewsomethingwaswrong。ThenLordTottenhamsatdown，andhemadeOswaldandDickyandH。O。standinfrontofhim，butheletAliceandNoElsitdown。Andhesaid—
　　’Yousetyourdogonme，andyoutriedtomakemebelieveyouweresavingmefromit。Andyouwouldhavetakenmyhalf—sovereign。
　　Suchconductismost—No—youshalltellmewhatitis，sir，andspeakthetruth。’
　　SoIhadtosayitwasmostungentlemanly，butIsaidIhadn’tbeengoingtotakethehalf—sovereign。
　　’Thenwhatdidyoudoitfor？’heasked。’Thetruth，mind。’
　　SoIsaid，’Iseenowitwasverysilly，andDorasaiditwaswrong，butitdidn’tseemsotillwedidit。Wewantedtorestorethefallenfortunesofourhouse，andinthebooksifyourescueanoldgentlemanfromdeadlyperil，hebringsyouupashisownson—
　　orifyouprefertobeyourfather’sson，hestartsyouinbusiness，sothatyouendinwealthyaffluence;andtherewasn’tanydeadlyperil，sowemadePincherintoone—andso—’IwassoashamedIcouldn’tgoon，foritdidseemanawfullymeanthing。
　　LordTottenhamsaid—
　　’Averynicewaytomakeyourfortune—bydeceitandtrickery。I
　　haveahorrorofdogs。IfI’dbeenaweakmantheshockmighthavekilledme。Whatdoyouthinkofyourselves，eh？’
　　WewereallcryingexceptOswald，andtheotherssayhewas;andLordTottenhamwenton—’Well，well，Iseeyou’resorry。Letthisbealessontoyou;andwe’llsaynomoreaboutit。I’manoldmannow，butIwasyoungonce。’
　　ThenAliceslidalongthebenchclosetohim，andputherhandonhisarm：herfingerswerepinkthroughtheholesinherwoollygloves，andsaid，’Ithinkyou’reverygoodtoforgiveus，andwearereallyvery，verysorry。Butwewantedtobelikethechildreninthebooks—onlyweneverhavethechancestheyhave。
　　Everythingtheydoturnsoutallright。Butwearesorry，very，very。AndIknowOswaldwasn’tgoingtotakethehalf—sovereign。
　　DirectlyyousaidthataboutatipfromanoldboyIbegantofeelbadinside，andIwhisperedtoH。O。thatIwishedwehadn’t。’
　　ThenLordTottenhamstoodup，andhelookedliketheDeathofNelson，forheiscleanshavedanditisagoodface，andhesaid—
　　’Alwaysremembernevertodoadishonourablething，formoneyorforanythingelseintheworld。’
　　Andwepromisedwewouldremember。Thenhetookoffhishat，andwetookoffours，andhewentaway，andwewenthome。Ineverfeltsocheapinallmylife！Dorasaid，’Itoldyouso，’butwedidn’tmindeventhatsomuch，thoughitwasindeedhardtobear。ItwaswhatLordTottenhamhadsaidaboutungentlemanly。Wedidn’tgoontotheHeathforaweekafterthat;butatlastweallwent，andwewaitedforhimbythebench。WhenhecamealongAlicesaid，’Please，LordTottenham，wehavenotbeenontheHeathforaweek，tobeapunishmentbecauseyouletusoff。Andwehavebroughtyouapresenteachifyouwilltakethemtoshowyouarewillingtomakeitup。’
　　Hesatdownonthebench，andwegavehimourpresents。Oswaldgavehimasixpennycompass—heboughtitwithmyownmoneyonpurposetogivehim。Oswaldalwaysbuysusefulpresents。TheneedlewouldnotmoveafterI’dhaditadayortwo，butLordTottenhamusedtobeanadmiral，sohewillbeabletomakethatgoallright。Alicehadmadehimashaving—case，witharoseworkedonit。AndH。O。gavehimhisknife—thesameoneheoncecutallthebuttonsoffhisbestsuitwith。Dickygavehimhisprize，NavalHeroes，becauseitwasthebestthinghehad，andNoelgavehimapieceofpoetryhehadmadehimself—
　　WhensinandshamebowdownthebrowThenpeoplefeeljustlikewedonow。
　　WearesosorrywithgriefandpainWeneverwillbesoungentlemanlyagain。
　　LordTottenhamseemedverypleased。Hethankedus，andtalkedtousforabit，andwhenhesaidgood—byehesaid—
　　’All’sfairweathernow，mates，’andshookhands。
　　Andwheneverwemeethimhenodstous，andifthegirlsarewithushetakesoffhishat，sohecan’treallybegoingonthinkingusungentlemanlynow。
　　CHAPTER11
　　CASTILIANAMOROSO
　　OnedaywhenwesuddenlyfoundthatwehadhalfacrownwedecidedthatwereallyoughttotryDicky’swayofrestoringourfallenfortuneswhileyetthedeedwasinourpower。Becauseitmighteasilyhavehappenedtousnevertohavehalfacrownagain。Sowedecidedtodallynolongerwithbeingjournalistsandbanditsandthingslikethem，buttosendforsampleandinstructionshowtoearntwopoundsaweekeachinoursparetime。Wehadseentheadvertisementinthepaper，andwehadalwayswantedtodoit，butwehadneverhadthemoneytosparebefore，somehow。Theadvertisementsays：’Anyladyorgentlemancaneasilyearntwopoundsaweekintheirsparetime。Sampleandinstructions，twoshillings。Packedfreefromobservation。’Agooddealofthehalf—crownwasDora’s。Itcamefromhergodmother;butshesaidshewouldnotmindlettingDickyhaveitifhewouldpayherbackbeforeChristmas，andifweweresureitwasrighttotrytomakeourfortunethatway。Ofcoursethatwasquiteeasy，becauseoutoftwopoundsaweekinyoursparetimeyoucaneasilypayallyourdebts，andhavealmostasmuchleftasyoubeganwith;andastotherightwetoldhertodryup。
　　Dickyhadalwaysthoughtthatthiswasreallythebestwaytorestoreourfallenfortunes，andweweregladthatnowhehadachanceoftryingbecauseofcoursewewantedthetwopoundsaweekeach，andbesides，wewererathertiredofDicky’salwayssaying，whenourwaysdidn’tturnoutwell，’Whydon’tyoutrythesampleandinstructionsaboutoursparetime？’
　　Whenwefoundoutaboutourhalf—crownwegotthepaper。NoElwasplayingadmiralsinit，buthehadmadethecockedhatwithouttearingthepaper，andwefoundtheadvertisement，anditsaidjustthesameasever。Sowegotatwo—shillingpostalorderandastamp，andwhatwasleftofthemoneyitwasagreedwewouldspendinginger—beertodrinksuccesstotrade。
　　WegotsomenicepaperoutofFather’sstudy，andDickywrotetheletter，andweputinthemoneyandputonthestamp，andmadeH。
　　O。postit。Thenwedranktheginger—beer，andthenwewaitedforthesampleandinstructions。Itseemedalongtimecoming，andthepostmangotquitetiredofusrunningoutandstoppinghiminthestreettoaskifithadcome。
　　Butonthethirdmorningitcame。Itwasquitealargeparcel，anditwaspacked，astheadvertisementsaiditwouldbe，’freefromobservation。’Thatmeansitwasinabox;andinsidetheboxwassomestiffbrownycardboard，crinkledlikethegalvanizedirononthetopsofchicken—houses，andinsidethatwasalotofpaper，someofitprintedandsomescrappy，andintheverymiddleofitallabottle，notverylarge，andblack，andsealedonthetopofthecorkwithyellowsealing—wax。
　　Welookedatitasitlayonthenurserytable，andwhilealltheothersgrabbedatthepaperstoseewhattheprintingsaid，Oswaldwenttolookforthecorkscrew，soastoseewhatwasinsidethebottle。Hefoundthecorkscrewinthedresserdrawer—italwaysgetsthere，thoughitissupposedtobeinthesideboarddrawerinthedining—room—andwhenhegotbacktheothershadreadmostoftheprintedpapers。
　　’Idon’tthinkit’smuchgood，andIdon’tthinkit’squitenicetosellwine，’Dorasaid’andbesides，it’snoteasytosuddenlybegintosellthingswhenyouaren’tusedtoit。’
　　’Idon’tknow，’saidAlice;’IbelieveIcould。’Theyalllookedratherdowninthemouth，though，andOswaldaskedhowyouweretomakeyourtwopoundsaweek。
　　’Why，you’vegottogetpeopletotastethatstuffinthebottle。
　　It’ssherry—CastilianAmorosoitsnameis—andthenyougetthemtobuyit，andthenyouwritetothepeopleandtellthemtheotherpeoplewantthewine，andthenforeverydozenyousellyougettwoshillingsfromthewinepeople，soifyouselltwentydozenaweekyougetyourtwopounds。Idon’tthinkweshallsellasmuchasthat，’saidDicky。
　　’Wemightnotthefirstweek，’Alicesaid，’butwhenpeoplefoundouthowniceitwas，theywouldwantmoreandmore。Andifweonlygottenshillingsaweekitwouldbesomethingtobeginwith，wouldn’tit？’
　　Oswaldsaidheshouldjollywellthinkitwould，andthenDickytookthecorkoutwiththecorkscrew。Thecorkbrokeagooddeal，andsomeofthebitswentintothebottle。Doragotthemedicineglassthathastheteaspoonsandtablespoonsmarkedonit，andweagreedtohaveateaspoonfuleach，toseewhatitwaslike。
　　’Noonemusthavemorethanthat，’Dorasaid，’howeverniceitis。’
　　Dorabehavedratherasifitwereherbottle。Isupposeitwas，becauseshehadlentthemoneyforit。
　　ThenshemeasuredOuttheteaspoonful，andshehadfirstgo，becauseofbeingtheeldest。Weaskedatoncewhatitwaslike，butDoracouldnotspeakjustthen。
　　Thenshesaid，’It’slikethetonicNoelhadinthespring;butperhapssherryoughttobelikethat。’
　　ThenitwasOswald’sturn。Hethoughtitwasveryburny;buthesaidnothing。Hewantedtoseefirstwhattheotherswouldsay。
　　Dickysaidhiswassimplybeastly，andAlicesaidNoelcouldtastenextifheliked。
　　Noelsaiditwasthegoldenwineofthegods，buthehadtoputhishandkerchiefuptohismouthallthesame，andIsawthefacehemade。
　　ThenH。O。hadhis，andhespatitoutinthefire，whichwasveryrudeandnasty，andwetoldhimso。
　　ThenitwasAlice’sturn。Shesaid，’Onlyhalfatea—spoonfulforme，Dora。Wemustn’tuseitallup。’Andshetasteditandsaidnothing。
　　ThenDickysaid：’Lookhere，Ichuckthis。I’mnotgoingtohawkroundsuchbeastlystuff。Anyonewholikescanhavethebottle。
　　Quis？’
　　AndAlicegotout’Ego’beforetherestofus。Thenshesaid，’I
　　knowwhat’sthematterwithit。Itwantssugar。’
　　Andatonceweallsawthatthatwasalltherewasthematterwiththestuff。Sowegottwolumpsofsugarandcrusheditonthefloorwithoneofthebigwoodenbrickstillitwaspowdery，andmixeditwithsomeofthewineuptothetablespoonmark，anditwasquitedifferent，andnotnearlysonasty。
　　’Youseeit’sallrightwhenyougetusedtoit，’Dickysaid。I
　　thinkhewassorryhehadsaid’Quis？’insuchahurry。
　　’Ofcourse，’Alicesaid，’it’sratherdusty。Wemustcrushthesugarcarefullyincleanpaperbeforeweputitinthebottle。’
　　Dorasaidshewasafraiditwouldbecheatingtomakeonebottlenicerthanwhatpeoplewouldgetwhentheyorderedadozenbottles，butAlicesaidDoraalwaysmadeafussabouteverything，andreallyitwouldbequitehonest。
　　’Yousee，’shesaid，’Ishalljusttellthem，quitetruthfully，whatwehavedonetoit，andwhentheirdozenscometheycandoitforthemselves。’
　　Sothenwecrushedeightmorelumps，verycleanlyandcarefullybetweennewspapers，andshookitupwellinthebottle，andcorkeditupwithascrewofpaper，brownandnotnews，forfearofthepoisonousprintinginkgettingwetanddrippingdownintothewineandkillingpeople。WemadePincherhaveataste，andhesneezedforeversolong，andafterthatheusedtogounderthesofawheneverweshowedhimthebottle。
　　ThenweaskedAlicewhoshewouldtryandsellitto。Shesaid：’I
　　shallaskeverybodywhocomestothehouse。Andwhilewearedoingthat，wecanbethinkingofoutsidepeopletotakeitto。Wemustbecareful：there’snotmuchmorethanhalfofitleft，evencountingthesugar。’
　　WedidnotwishtotellEliza—Idon’tknowwhy。Andsheopenedthedoorveryquicklythatday，sothattheTaxesandamanwhocametoourhousebymistakefornextdoorgotawaybeforeAlicehadachancetotrythemwiththeCastilianAmoroso。ButaboutfiveElizaslippedoutforhalfanhourtoseeafriendwhowasmakingherahatforSunday，andwhileshewasgonetherewasaknock。Alicewent，andwelookedoverthebanisters。Whensheopenedthedoor，shesaidatonce，’Willyouwalkin，please？’
　　Thepersonatthedoorsaid，’IcalledtoseeyourPa，miss。Isheathome？’
　　Alicesaidagain，’Willyouwalkin，please？’
　　Thentheperson—itsoundedlikeaman—said，’Heisin，then？’
　　ButAliceonlykeptonsaying，’Willyouwalkin，please？’soatlastthemandid，rubbinghisbootsveryloudlyonthemat。
　　ThenAliceshutthefrontdoor，andwesawthatitwasthebutcher，withanenvelopeinhishand。Hewasnotdressedinblue，likewhenheiscuttingupthesheepandthingsintheshop，andheworeknickerbockers。Alicesayshecameonabicycle。Sheledthewayintothedining—room，wheretheCastilianAmorosobottleandthemedicineglasswerestandIngonthetableallready。
　　Theothersstayedonthestairs，butOswaldcreptdownandlookedthroughthedoor—crack。
　　’Pleasesitdown，’saidAlicequitecalmly，thoughshetoldmeafterwardsIhadnoideahowsillyshefelt。Andthebutchersatdown。ThenAlicestoodquitestillandsaidnothing，butshefiddledwiththemedicineglassandputthescrewofbrownpaperstraightintheCastilianbottle。
　　’WillyoutellyourPaI’dlikeawordwithhim？’thebutchersaid，whenhegottiredofsayingnothing。
　　’He’llbeinverysoon，Ithink，’Alicesaid。
　　Andthenshestoodstillagainandsaidnothing。Itwasbeginningtolookveryidioticofher，andH。O。laughed。Iwentbackandcuffedhimforitquitequietly，andIdon’tthinkthebutcherheard。
　　ButAlicedid，anditrousedherfromherstupor。Shespokesuddenly，veryfastindeed—sofastthatIknewshehadmadeupwhatshewasgoingtosaybefore。Shehadgotmostofitoutofthecircular。
　　Shesaid，’IwanttocallyourattentiontoasampleofsherrywineIhavehere。ItiscalledCastiliansomethingorother，andatthepriceitisunequalledforflavourandbouquet。’
　　Thebutchersaid，’Well—Inever！’
　　AndAlicewenton，’Wouldyouliketotasteit？’
　　’Thankyouverymuch，I’msure，miss，’saidthebutcher。
　　Alicepouredsomeout。
　　Thebutchertastedaverylittle。Helickedhislips，andwethoughthewasgoingtosayhowgooditwas。Buthedidnot。Heputdownthemedicineglasswithnearlyallthestuffleftinit（weputitbackinthebottleafterwardstosavewaste）andsaid，’Excuseme，miss，butisn’titalittlesweet？—forsherryI
　　mean？’
　　’Therealisn’t，’saidAlice。’Ifyouorderadozenitwillcomequitedifferenttothat—welikeitbestwithsugar。Iwishyouwouldordersome。’Thebutcheraskedwhy。
　　Alicedidnotspeakforaminute，andthenshesaid—
　　’Idon’tmindtellingyou：youareinbusinessyourself，aren’tyou？Wearetryingtogetpeopletobuyit，becauseweshallhavetwoshillingsforeverydozenwecanmakeanyonebuy。It’scalledapurrsomething。’
　　’Apercentage。Yes，Isee，’saidthebutcher，lookingattheholeinthecarpet。
　　’Youseetherearereasons，Alicewenton，’whywewanttomakeourfortunesasquicklyaswecan。’
　　’Quiteso，’saidthebutcher，andhelookedattheplacewherethepaperiscomingoffthewall。
　　’Andthisseemsagoodway，’Alicewenton。’Wepaidtwoshillingsforthesampleandinstructions，anditsaysyoucanmaketwopoundsaweekeasilyinyourleisuretime。’
　　’I’msureIhopeyoumay，miss，’saidthebutcher。AndAlicesaidagainwouldhebuysome？
　　’Sherryismyfavouritewine，’hesaid。Aliceaskedhimtohavesomemoretodrink。