I am sure, in my master's name, I may be allowed to thank you for your praiseworthy exertions in his service.

We are both much obliged to you, and hope we shall show ourselves not unmindful of your--" "Brute!" was all I could shriek, so mad was I, Whether my rival would have pursued his discourse I cannot say, but at that instant a hand came fumbling under the pillow.

It passed me by, and sought the repeater, and next moment the tinkling chimes sounded half-past eleven.
It was as much as I could endure to be thus slighted and triumphed over.
"Contemptible creature!" I exclaimed; "you may think you've a fine voice, but, like a simpering schoolgirl, you can't sing till you're pressed!" I had him there, surely! "Better that than having no voice at all, like some people, or using it when no one wants to hear it, like others." I suppose he thought he had me there, the puppy! He went on chiming at intervals during the night, and of course my master had very little rest in consequence.
The next day Charlie and Jim had a solemn confabulation as to the disposal of me.
"It's no use wasting it, you know," said Jim.

"Pity you haven't got a young brother to pass it on to." "Suppose you take it," said the generous Charlie.
"No, old man, I don't want it.

I'm not so mad about tickers as you.
But, I tell you what, Charlie, you might like Tom to have it.