Of course he's a nice boy--oh, don't cry!" And he got into such a state that the old lady dried her eyes at once.
"Never mind me, dear," said she, "it wasn't you made me cry: it was thinking of my Tom.

You'll be a good friend to him, won't you, dear ?" "Perhaps he won't like me." "Now I'm sure he will," exclaimed the lady warmly; so warmly that I quite loved her for my little master's sake.

Both were silent for some time, and then Charlie asked,-- "I say, has he got a watch ?" "No." "Oh, never mind," said he, in a tone of evident relief, "I can tell him the time, you know, whenever he wants to know." "To be sure you can." Then Charlie took to polishing me and the chain up again, an occupation which lasted until we arrived at Gunborough Junction, where passengers changed for Randlebury.
"Good-bye, dear," said the old lady, as Charlie proceeded to get together his things.
"Good-bye," said he.

"Would you like to know the time before I go?
It's eight past five.

Good-bye." "May I give you a kiss ?" said she.
Charlie blushed, but offered his cheek hurriedly.
"And you promise to be a good friend to Tom," said she, kissing him, "won't you ?" "All right," said the boy, jumping out on to the platform, and running to see after his luggage.
In a moment however he returned to the window and put his head in.
"I say," said he, "what's his name--Tom what ?" "Drift," said the old lady, "Tom Drift!" "Oh!" replied my master, "all right, good-bye;" and next minute the train went on, and he was left standing surrounded by his luggage in the middle of the platform, like a lighthouse in the middle of an island..