"That was only my joke.

I will pay his fare for him when we get to Portsmouth; for, I like the pluck of the lad in climbing on to the train like that, and not being daunted by obstacles in carrying out a planned purpose.

Can't say much for his looks though.

He seems to me half-starved." The latter observation was uttered in an undertone, the Captain having too much delicacy to comment on Dick's appearance in his hearing.

Miss Nellie, however, acted instantly on the suggestion, which gave it a practical turn.
"Are you hungry, poor boy," she asked Dick--"very hungry ?" "No, miss," he answered humbly; "not pertick'ler, I be." "But you could eat a sandwich, perhaps ?" said she, opening a parcel which their mother had put up for the refreshment of Bob and herself during their journey.