heath-keeper were either vindictive or remorseful,--vindictive for the

aggravation or remorseful for his own injudicious display of ill

temper. As a matter of fact, they were nothing of the sort. A sudden,

a wonderful gratitude, possessed him. The Glory of the Holidays had

resumed its sway with a sudden accession of splendour. At the crest of

the hill he put his feet upon the footrests, and now riding moderately

straight, went, with a palpitating brake, down that excellent descent.

A new delight was in his eyes, quite over and above the pleasure of

rushing through the keen, sweet, morning air. He reached out his thumb

and twanged his bell out of sheer happiness.

"'He's a bloomin' Dook--he is!'" said Mr. Hoopdriver to himself, in a

soft undertone, as he went soaring down the hill, and again, "'He's a

bloomin' Dook!"' He opened his mouth in a silent laugh. It was having a

decent cut did it. His social superiority had been so evident that even

a man like that noticed it. No more Manchester Department for ten days!

Out of Manchester, a Man. The draper Hoopdriver, the Hand, had vanished

from existence. Instead was a gentleman, a man of pleasure, with a

five-pound note, two sovereigns, and some silver at various convenient

points of his person. At any rate as good as a Dook, if not precisely

in the peerage. Involuntarily at the thought of his funds Hoopdriver's

right hand left the handle and sought his breast pocket, to be

immediately recalled by a violent swoop of the machine towards the

cemetery. Whirroo! Just missed that half-brick! Mischievous brutes there

were in the world to put such a thing in the road. Some blooming 'Arry

or other! Ought to prosecute a few of these roughs, and the rest would

The Wheels of Chance