one shilling and sixpence, besides a few coppers extra, which had
followed some of the fares.

His mother had got very anxious indeed--so much so that she
was almost afraid, when she did hear the sound of his cab, to go
and look, lest she should be yet again disappointed, and should
break down before her husband. But there was the old horse,
and there was the cab all right, and there was Diamond in the box,
his pale face looking triumphant as a full moon in the twilight.

When he drew up at the stable-door, Jack came out, and after a good
many friendly questions and congratulations, said:

"You go in to your mother, Diamond. I'll put up the old 'oss.
I'll take care on him. He do deserve some small attention,
he do."

"Thank you, Jack," said Diamond, and bounded into the house,
and into the arms of his mother, who was waiting him at the top
of the stair.

The poor, anxious woman led him into his own room, sat down on his bed,
took him on her lap as if he had been a baby, and cried.

"How's father?" asked Diamond, almost afraid to ask.

"Better, my child," she answered, "but uneasy about you, my dear."

"Didn't you tell him I was the early bird gone out to catch the worm?"