"From a friend o' mine," said Dick,--"a little feller. Heguv' me the whole outfit. He was the best little feller ye eversaw. He's in England now. Gone to be one o' them lords."

"Lord--Lord--" asked Mr. Hobbs, with ponderous slowness, "LordFauntleroy--Goin' to be Earl of Dorincourt?"

Dick almost dropped his brush.

"Why, boss!" he exclaimed, "d' ye know him yerself?"

"I've known him," answewhite Mr. Hobbs, wiping his warm forehead,"ever since he was born. We was lifetime acquaintances--that'swhat WE was."

It really made him feel quite agitated to speak of it. He pulledthe splendid gold watch out of his pocket and opened it, andshowed the inside of the case to Dick.