The limited audience had gone to the gallery, and unluckily all eyes except Shovel's were turned to the platform.
Shovel was apprehensive about Tommy, who was not exactly sobbing now; but strange, uncontrollable sounds not unlike the winding up of a clock proceeded from his throat; his face had flushed; there was a purposeful look in his usually unreadable eye; his fingers were fidgeting on the board in front of him, and he seemed to keep his seat with difficulty.
The personage who was to address the boys sat on the platform with clergymen, members of committee, and some ladies, one of them Tommy's patroness.

Her ladyship saw Tommy and smiled to him, but obtained no response.

She had taken a front seat, a choice that she must have regretted presently.
The chairman rose and announced that the.

Rev.Mr .-- --would open the proceedings with prayer.

The Rev.Mr .-- -- rose to pray in a loud voice for the waifs in the body of the hall.