'20 PASSAGE IN THE LIFE OF Mil. WATKI1>JS TOTTLE. 



the Sti ephon of Cecil-street, Strand. The lady rose, and made a 

 deep curtsey ; Mr. Watkins Tottle made a serio-comic bow. 



"Splendid, majestic creature !" thought Watkins Tottle. She was 

 his beau ideal of a desirable female. 



Mr. Timson advanced, and Mr. Watkins Tottle began to hate him, 

 Men generally discover a rival instinctively, and Mr. Watkins Tottle 

 felt that his hate was deserved. 



" May I beg," said the reverend gentleman " May I beg to call 

 upon you, Miss Lillerton, for some trifling donation to my soup, 

 coals, and blanket distribution society?" 



"Put my name down for two sovereigns, if you please," responded 

 the automaton-like Miss Lillerton. 



" You are truly charitable, madam," said the Reverend Mr. Tim- 

 son, " and we know that charity will cover a multitude of sins. Let 

 me beg you to understand that I do not say this from the supposition 

 that you have many sins which require palliation ;~ believe me when 

 I say that I never yet met any one who had fewer to atone for than 

 Miss Lillerton." 



Something like a bad imitation of animation lighted up the lady's 

 face, as she acknowledged the compliment. Watkins Tottle incurred 

 the sin of wishing that the ashes of the Rev. Charles Timson were 

 quietly deposited in the churchyard of his curacy, wherever it might be. 



" I'll tell you what," interrupted Parsons, who had just appeared 

 with clean hands, and a black coat, " it's my private opinion Timson, 

 that your ' distribution society' is rather a humbug." 



" You are so severe," replied Timson, with a Christian smile ; he 

 disliked Parsons, but liked his dinners. 



" So positively unjust," said Miss Lillerton. 



" Certainly/' observed Tottle. The lady looked up ; her eyes met 

 those of Mr. Watkins Tottle. She withdrew them in a s\veet confu- 

 sion, and Watkins Tottle did the same the confusion was mutual. 



" Why," urged Mr. Parsons, pursuing his objections, " what on 

 earth is the use of giving a man coals who has nothing to cook ; or 

 giving him blankets when he hasn't abed; or giving him soup, when 

 he requires substantial food like sending them ruffles when wanting 

 a shirt. Why not give 'em a trifle of money, as I do, when I think 

 they deserve it, and let them purchase what they think best. Why ? 

 because your subscribers wouldn't see their names flourishing in 

 print on the church-door that's the reason." 



" Really, Mr. Parsons, I hope you don't mean to insinuate that I 

 wish to see my name in print, on the church-door," interrupted Miss 

 Lillerton, indignantly. 



" I hope not," said Mr: Watkins Tottle, putting in another word, 

 and getting another glance. 



" Certainly not," replied Parsons. " I dare say you wouldn't 

 mind seeing it in writing though, in the church register eh ?" 



" Register ! What register ?" enquired the lady, gravely. 



" Why, the register of marriages, to be sure," replied Parsons, 

 chuckling at the sally, and glancing at Tottle. Mr. Watkins Tottle 

 thought he should have fainted for very shame, and it is quite impos- 

 sible to imagine what effect the joke would have had upon the lady, 



