34, MARTIN RATTLER.

one across this way—exactly. Now, what is the
result ?”

The result was a complicated knot; and Mrs.
Grumbit, after staring a few seconds at the old
gentleman in surprise, said so, and begged to know
what use it was of.

“Oh, never mind, never mind. We merchants
have strange fancies, and foreigners have curious
tastes now and then. Please to make all my socks
with a hitch like that in them all round, just above
the ankle. It will form an ornamental ring. Tm
sorry to put you to the trouble, but of course I pay
extra for fancy-work. Will six shillings a pair do
for these ?”

“My dear sir,” said Mrs. Grumbit, “it is no ad-
ditional—”

“Well, well, never mind,” said Mr. Jollyboy.
“Two thousand pairs, remember, as soon as pos-
sible— close knitted, plain stitch, rather coarse
worsted; and don’t forget the hitch, Mrs. Grumbit,
don’t forget the hitch.”

Ah! reader, there are many Mrs. Grumbits in
this world requiring hitches to be made in their
stockings !

At this moment the door burst open. Mrs. Doro-

thy Grumbit uttered a piercing scream, Mr. Jollyboy