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Peekins was permanently received into Sandhill Cottage as page-in-buttons, in which capacity he presented a miserably attenuated figure, but gave great satisfaction. Tommy and he continued good friends; the former devoting as much of his leisure time to the latter as he could spare.
I like you," said the boy, springing suddenly to his side and grasping his hand, "I've no one in the world to care for but you. I never heard any one speak like you. If you'll only let me be your servant, I'll go with you to the end of the world, and and " Here poor Peekins was again overcome. "Brayvo!" shouted Tommy Bogey in admiration. "You're not such a bad fellow after all."
What do you mean by staring at me, instead of answering my question?" "Please, sir," stammered Peekins meekly, "I didn't mean no 'arm, sir, but you see, sir, his face was so drefful fierce, and he looked sich a wild " "Boy, are you mad?" interrupted Mr Denham, advancing and seizing the tiger by his blue collar; "what are you talking about?
Here Peekins was disrobed of his old garments, and clad in canvas trousers, pilot-cloth jacket and vest, with capacious pockets, and a sou'-wester; all of which fitted him so loosely that he felt persuaded in his own mind he could easily have jumped out of them with an upward bound, or have slipped out of them downwards through either leg of the pantaloons.
"Very odd," said Mr Denham, and as he said so he touched a small silver bell that stood on his writing-table. The tiger in blue and buttons instantly appeared. "Here, Peekins, post these letters. Has no one called this afternoon; I mean, no one resembling a sailor?" The boy in blue started, and his face became very red. "Why, what's the matter, boy?
Denham grew pale, supposing that the roused giant was about to assault him; but Bax only pointed to the door, and said sternly "Part of the wages due me will pay for that. You can keep the balance, and buy yourself a Bible with it." Next moment he was gone, and Peekins stood staring at his master through the shattered door, trembling from head to foot.
"The letters, sir," said Peekins, the meek blue tiger in buttons, entering at that moment and laying a pile of letters on the table. Had Peekins been a little dog without a soul, capable of wagging his tail and fawning, Denham would have patted him, but, being only a boy in blue with a meek spirit, the great man paid no attention to him whatever.
Peekins' successor relieved him of his hat, topcoat, and umbrella, and one of the clerks brought him the letters. Before opening these he shouted "Mr Crumps!" Crumps came meekly out of his cell, as if he had been a bad dog who knew he deserved, and expected, a whipping. "Nothing wrong, I trust," he said anxiously.
"D'ye owe 'em anything at the office?" "No, nothin'; they owes me seventeen and six." "D'ye want it very much?" "O no, I don't mind that, bless ye," said Peekins, earnestly. "What d'ye mean to do?" inquired Bax. "Go with you to sea," replied the tiger, promptly. "But I'm not going to sea." "Then, I'll go with you wherever you please.
About this period of the day Mr Denham rose, put on his hat and greatcoat, and prepared to go. Peekins observed this through a private scratch in the glass door, and signalised the gladsome news in dumb-show to his comrades. Hope at once took the place of despair in the office, for lads and very young men are happily furnished with extremely elastic spirits. The missile was well aimed.
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