And if anything special happens and I'm badly wanted, you must run to my office and fetch me.

You know where it is ?" "Yaas, I know," said Billy.
"If Mr Smith comes up, you may let him in and make yourself scarce till he goes away again." "What Mr Smith ?" I asked.
"Oh, my fellow-lodger.

Isn't it funny his name's Smith?
At least, wouldn't it be funny if every other person weren't called Smith ?" "It is rather a large family," said I, laughing.
Billy having received his full instructions, including the serving of certain provisions out of a cupboard in a corner of the room, made himself comfortable on his perch, and sat eyeing me, after Jack had gone, as if I were a criminal of some sort whom it was his duty to prevent from escaping.
It was a queer situation to be in, certainly.

Left alone in a friend's lodging with a broken arm and other contusions, and a small shoeblack to look after me, who had once robbed me of my penknife and a sixpence! I was rather doubtful whether his new employment was quite as congenial to him as his old.

Indeed, I rather pitied him as he sat there silent and motionless like a watch-dog on guard.
"You may stand on your hands if you like, Billy," I said, presently.
He eyed me sharply and doubtfully.
"You're 'avin' a lark with me," he said.
"No, I'm not.