192
WYLDER'S HAJVD.
the latter part of this conference, and looking up, the at-
torney and the Vicar saw "little Fairy's" violet eyes
peering under his light hair.
"I beg pardon," said the Vicar, rising with a sudden
smile, and going to the window. "It is my little man.
Fairy! Fairy! What has brought you here, my little
man?"
Fairy glanced, shamefacedly at the grand attorney, and
in his little fist he held a pair of rather seedy gloves to
the window pane.
"So I did. I protest I forgot my gloves. Thank you,
little man. Who is with you? Oh! I see. That is
right."
The maid ducked a short courtesy.
"Indeed, sir, please, Master Fairy was raising the
roof (a nursery phrase, which implied indescribable bel-
/ lowing), and as naughty as could be, until missis allowed
him to come after you."
"Oh ! my little man, you must not do that. Ask nice-
ly you know; always quietly, like a little gentleman."
"But, oh! Wapsie, your hands would be cold;" and
he held the gloves to him against the glass.
"Well, darling, thank you; you are a kind little man,
and I'll be with you in a moment," said the Vicar, smil-
ing very lovingly on his naughty little man.
"Mr. Larkin," said he, turning very gratefully to the
attorney, "you can lay this Christian comfort to your
kind heart, that you have made mine a hundredfold light-
er since I entered this blessed room, by the timely proffer
of your invaluable assistance."
Again the attorney waved off, with a benignant and
humble smile, rather oppressive to see, all idea of obliga-
tion, and accompanied his grateful client to the glass door
of his little porch, where Fairy was already awaiting him
with the gloves in his hand.