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The boys had become so fond of her that they were eager to attend, and usually assembled round the door of the class-room before the hour. My protege, Robin Slidder, was of course one of her warmest adherents.
I now began to devote much of my time to the study of chemistry, not only because it suited Dr McTougall that I should do so, but because I had conceived a great liking for that science, and entertained some thoughts of devoting myself to it almost exclusively. In the various experiments connected therewith I was most ably, and, I may add, delightedly, assisted by Robin Slidder.
"Wot about the wittles?" demanded this remarkable boy. "Of course you'd fare as well as the other servants," returned the doctor, rather testily, for his opinion of my little friend was rapidly falling; I could see that, to my regret. "Now give me an answer at once," he continued sharply. "Would you like to come?" "Not by no manner of means," replied Slidder promptly.
"She'll need it, doctor. I knows her well, an' it's the on'y thing as does her good w'en she's took bad." Slidder was right. The shock of joy was almost too much for the old lady. She leaned heavily on her granddaughter's neck, and if I had not caught her, both must have fallen to the ground. We lifted her gently into bed, and in a few minutes she recovered. For some time she lay perfectly still.
"Thanks to you, sir," replied Slidder, with a familiar nod; "they do say I'm lookin' up." "I hope you like the work. Have you had breakfast? Would a roll do you any good?" "Thankee, I'm primed for the day. I came over, sir, to say that granny seems to me to be out o' sorts. Since I've been allowed to sleep on the rug inside her door, I've noticed that she ain't so lively as she used to was.
Now Robin Slidder was no loiterer on his errands, nevertheless he did not deem it a breach of fidelity to cast an occasional glance into a picture-shop window, or to pause a few seconds now and then to chaff a facetious cabby, or make a politely sarcastic remark to a bobby.
"If you don't b'lieve it, miss, look at the vite spot on the bridge of 'is nose," said Slidder, with a self-satisfied nod to the lady and a supremely insolent wink to the footman. "Pompey!" exclaimed the girl, holding out a pair of the prettiest little gloved hands imaginable. My doggie broke from my grasp with a shriek of joy, and sprang into her arms.
Little Slidder had rushed excitedly into the room, but stopped abruptly on observing Miss Blythe, who was looking from him to me with intense surprise. Before another word could be said, a servant entered: "Please, Miss Blythe, Doctor McTougall wishes to see you in his study." She left us at once.
But I'll go and inquire for myself this wery evenin' w'en you're all settled an comf'rable, an' w'en I've got Mrs Jones to look arter you." That evening, accordingly, when Robin Slidder as I shall now call him was away making his inquiries, Dr McTougall called on Mrs Willis. She was very weak and low at the time.
"Vy, you've on'y got to go and marry the young lady, w'en, of course, all her property becomes yours, Punch included, don't you see?" "True, Slidder; it had not occurred to me in that light," said I, laughing heartily, as much at the cool and quiet insolence of the waif's manner as at his suggestion. "But then, you see, there are difficulties in the way.
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