Would you like to see for yourself, ma'am ?" And, pleased to have a confidant of his possessions, he loosed my chain, and flourished me bodily before the eyes of his new friend.
She took me kindly, and said, "What a fine watch you've got, dear ?" "Yes," replied he, with lofty condescension; "like to see his works ?" "You should be careful, you know," she said, "watches so easily get out of order." "Oh, I won't hurt it," said he, proceeding to take off my coat and waistcoat.

"There! there are his works.

Don't breathe hard, or you'll damp them." So the old lady held her breath and peeped in, much to my young master's gratification.
"And so you're going to school, my man ?" said she presently.
"Yes; who told you! Did my father tell you ?" "No, I guessed." "Did you though?
Can you guess what the name of the school is ?" "No, I can't do that." "Have a try." "Well, then, I guess Randlebury, because my boy is there, and it's the only one I can think of." The boy stared at her.

"How ever did you know that ?" "What!" she exclaimed, "you don't mean to tell me you _are_ going to Randlebury ?" "I am, though." "Well, I never," cried the good old soul, "who would have believed it! Think of your going to the same school as my Tom." "Is Tom your boy's name ?" "Yes." "Is he a nice boy ?" Such a question to ask any one's mother! The old lady burst into tears instead of answering--a proceeding which greatly alarmed and disconcerted my master.
"Don't cry," he said excitedly.

"Look here! I didn't mean--oh, don't! Look here, shall I tell you the time?
It's--it's sixteen minutes to four--I didn't mean, you know.