CHAPTER XXIII

SMOKE-JACK ALLEY

Launce. It is no matter if the ty'd were lost, for it is the unkindest ty'd that ever man ty'd.

Panthino. What's the unkindest ty'd?

Launce. Why, he that's ty'd here--Crab, my dog. SHAKESPEARE.

John Harewood returned, bringing with him what Alda took for a dressing-case, and Cherry for a drawing-box, but which proved to contain a wonderful genie to save the well-worn fingers many a prick. To Lance he first administered the magical words, 'All right,' and then making an opportunity, he put five sovereigns into his hand. Lance's first impulse was, however, not to thank, but to exclaim, 'Then Poulter has not got it?'

No, Poulter's conscience had forbidden him to purchase 'little Underwood's' treasure at what he knew to be so much beneath its value; but he had given Captain Harewood his best advice and recommendations, and by that means the violin had been taken at a London shop, still at a price beneath his estimate, but the utmost that could be expected where ready money was the point. Lance ought to have been delighted, and his native politeness made him repeat, 'Thank you'; but he could not quite keep down his regret--'Now I shall never see or hear her again.'

However, the next day, when Bernard flew upon him at twelve o'clock, asseverating that there was shade all the way, he allowed himself to be persuaded, prudently carrying with him only ten shillings, and trusting to his blue umbrella rather than to Bernard's shade, which could hardly have been obtained by sidling against the walls.

1. What did Alda think John had brought back?
2. Did Cherry think that too?
3. What did she think it was?
4. Was it?
5. What would it do?
6. Who did John talk to first?
7. What did he say to Lance?
8. How many sovereigns did he pay him?
9. Was Lance thankful?
10. Did Poulter buy the item?
11. Why not?
12. What is little Underwood's treasure?
13. Was it overvalued?
14. Where was the instrument?
15. Did Poulter talk to anyone about the violin?
16. Who?
17. Did Poulter give anyone advice?
18. Who?
19. Who came to see Lance the next day?
20. What time?

Numbered answers:
1. a dressing-case
2. No
3. a drawing-box
4. it contained a wonderful genie
5. save the well-worn fingers many a prick
6. unknown
7. All right,
8. five
9. No
10. No
11. his conscience
12. a violin
13. No
14. a London shop
15. Yes
16. Lance
17. Yes
18. Captain Harewood
19. Bernard
20. twelve o'clock