Pray, why did you speak of the little girl, a moment ago, as _your_ child ?" "Because she's one of my performers, of course.

But, come! I've had enough of this; I can't stop talking here all day; I want the child--so just deliver her up at once, will you ?--and turn out Peck as soon as you like after.

I'll cure them both of ever doing this sort of thing again! I'll make them stick tight to the circus for the future! I'll show them--" "You would be employing your time much more usefully," said Doctor Joyce, "if you occupied it in altering the bills of your performance, so as to inform the public that the deaf and dumb child will not appear before them again." "Not appear again ?--not appear to-night in my circus?
Why, hang me! if I don't think you're trying to be funny all of a sudden! Alter my bills--eh?
Not bad! Upon my soul, not at all bad for a parson! Give us another joke, sir; I'm all attention." And Mr.Jubber put his hand to his ear, grinning in a perfect fury of sarcasm.
"I am quite in earnest," said the rector.

"A friend of mine has adopted the child, and will take her home with him tomorrow morning.

Mrs.
Peckover (the only person who has any right to exercise control over her) has consented to this arrangement.