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 and the king's writ has ceased its baneful activity for the day. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir—quite," said Pollyooly—with assurance.

"Well, it's a considerable burden to lay on such little shoulders," said the Honorable John Ruffin with a sigh. "But if my furniture were seized and I were hauled away to the darkest dungeons of Holloway, I don't know what I could do for you and the Lump."

"I don't mind, sir. I shall like doing it very, much," said Pollyooly quickly; and she smiled a ravishing smile.

The Honorable John Ruffin sighed again: "I can't fly with you and the Lump, for I haven't the money at the moment," he said. "Besides, there's my work. But I do hope it will be another lesson to me not to be swindled so easily. I doubt if I had a hundred pounds' worth of goods for that seven hundred and fifty." Then he smiled and added cheerfully, "But let me not idly repine. I grow wiser and wiser."

After that day as soon as the bacon of the Honorable John Ruffin had been grilled, Pollyooly and the Lump betook themselves to the chambers of Mr.