would like it better. She's so fond of Jim!"

"Now you come to the point, Diamond. I see what you mean, exactly.
I will turn it over in my mind. Could you bring Jim to see me?"

"I'll try, sir. But they don't mind me much. They think I'm silly,"
added Diamond, with one of his sweetest smiles.

What Mr. Raymond thought, I dare hardly attempt to put down here.
But one part of it was, that the highest wisdom must ever appear folly
to those who do not possess it.

"I think he would come though--after dark, you know," Diamond continued.
"He does well at shining boots. People's kind to lame boys,
you know, sir. But after dark, there ain't so much doing."

Diamond succeeded in bringing Jim to Mr. Raymond, and the consequence
was that he resolved to give the boy a chance. He provided
new clothes for both him and Nanny; and upon a certain day,
Joseph took his wife and three children, and Nanny and Jim,
by train to a certain station in the county of Kent, where they
found a cart waiting to carry them and their luggage to The Mound,
which was the name of Mr. Raymond's new residence. I will not
describe the varied feelings of the party as they went, or when
they arrived. All I will say is, that Diamond, who is my only care,
was full of quiet delight--a gladness too deep to talk about.

Joseph returned to town the same night, and the next morning drove
Ruby and Diamond down, with the carriage behind them, and Mr. Raymond
and a lady in the carriage. For Mr. Raymond was an old bachelor