"  Dead,"  said  Toby.  "  Her  mother  got  up  linen ;  and
was  called  to  Heaven  when  She  was  born."

^  Not  to  get  up  linen  there,  I  suppose,"  remarked  the
Alderman  pleasantly.
THE  CHIMES.  14]

Tobj  might  or  might  not  have  been  able  to  separate
bis  wife  ia  Heaven  from  her  old  pursuits.  But  query :
If  Mrs.  Alderman  Cute  had  gone  to  Heaven,  would
Mr.  Alderman  Cute  have  pictured  her  as  holding  anj
state  or  station  there?

"And  you're  making  love  to  her,  are  you?"  said
Cute  to  the  young  smith.
**  Yes,"  returned  Richard  quickly,  for  he  was  nettled
by  the  question.  ^  And  we  are  going  to  be  married  on
New  Year's  Day."

"  What  do  you  mean  I "  cried  Filer  sharply.  **  Mar-
ried ! "

**  "Why,  yes,  we're  thinking  of  it,  Master,"  said  Rich-
ard. "We're  rather  in  a  hurry  you  see,  in  case  it
should  be  Put  Down  first."

"  Ah  ! "  cried  Filer,  with  a  groan.  "  Put  that  down
indeed.  Alderman/  and  you'll  do  something.  Married!
Married ! !  The  ignorance  of  the  first  principles  of
political  economy  on  the  part  of  these  people  ;  their  im-
providence ;  their  wickedness ;  is,  by  Heavens !  enough
to  —  Now  look  at  that  couple,  will  you  I "

Well !  They  were  worth  looking  at.  And  marriage
seemed  as  reasonable  and  fair  a  deed  as  they  need  have
in  contemplation.
