It never turned a feather on the kid, his governor not turning up; and I couldn't make the idiot understand anything.

He hung on to me singing and saying, "Who's been tasting my porridge and eaten it all up ?" or else cheeking the porters, or else trying to whistle to make the trains go.
I thought I'd better leave word with the station-master where I'd gone, in case any one turned up; and then there was nothing for it but to take a cab across to the hotel.
The kid was no end festive to have a ride in the cab.

It would have been in a little better taste if he'd held his tongue, and shown a little regret for the jolly mess he'd let me into.

But, bless you, he didn't care two straws.
"What will daddy say when he can't find you ?" I said, trying to get him to look at things seriously.
"Daddy will say, `Who's been sitting in my chair, and broken the bottom out ?'" said he, still harping on those blessed bears.

I gave him up after that, and let him jaw on.
When we got to the hotel I was in another fix.