W. Pett Ridge

“ Caroline, her young brain excited by the importance of the evening, contented to feel at peace with all the world, including Miss Ladd, proud of her young husband, and eager to return to the incomparable baby, almost danced by Alfred's side as they went on the dimly-lighted road and over the bridge which spanned the canal. ”

“ There should be no more companionship with Ladd, no more association with crime. It was unfair to Caroline, unfair to the boy; besides, he remembered Holloway. It seemed that Miss Ladd was listening partly to Caroline's proud chatter about the baby and partly to a red-faced lad near the bar, bragging loudly to a respectful circle of the importance of his daily duties. Alfred, drinking at the urgent request of Caroline her glass of sleepy lemonade, also listened, and, going over to the group, asked for a light. ”

“ The barmaid complied, and Alfred paid for the refreshments. The circle, on the invitation of the red- faced youth, toasted him, and the carman, touched by the fact that he had won, declared Alfred to be a good sportsman, and Alfred said that the mere name of the lad (which he did not know) seemed to breathe straightforwardness and strict attention to business, venturing also the prophecy that he would ere long be a master carman, with five-and-twenty pair-horse vans under his control. Caroline pressed Alfred's arm, suggesting an immediate return home. ”