'You know you means gammon.' Charley, perhaps, did mean gammon; but he protested that he had never been more truthfully in earnest in his life.

Mr.Oldeschole's door opened, and Mrs.Davis perceiving it, whipped out her handkerchief in haste, and again began wiping her eyes, not without audible sobs.

'Confound the woman!' said Charley to himself; 'what on earth shall I do with her ?' Mr.Oldeschole's door opened, and out of it came Mr.Oldeschole, and Mr.Snape following him.

What means the clerk had used to bring forth the Secretary need not now be inquired.

Forth they both came, and passed along the passage, brushing close by Charley and Mrs.Davis; Mr.Oldeschole, when he saw that one of the clerks was talking to a woman who apparently was crying, looked very intently on the ground, and passed by with a quick step; Mr.Snape looked as intently at the woman, and passed very slowly.