THE LOVE BIRD. 163 



haired, laug-liter-loving beauty, wliose great point 

 was to g-o with the fashion just as far as she could 

 go. Charles Kean, the Crystal Palace Concerts, and 

 the Cochin Chinas, all came in for a turn sooner or 

 later — and Willie, glad, perhaps, to get out so cheap, 

 swore ^* by Jove ! she should have the best chicken in 

 London." 



Willie went on to his club, where he dropped at once on 

 the man who knows everything, from what Lord Palmer- 

 ston is going to do, down to what will really be John 

 Scott's nag for the Leger. There are one or two kept at 

 most of the clubs in town, little or great. 



" Ah, I say, Smith, how are you ? I want to buy a — 

 a — a — Cochin China— -Can you tell me where I can 

 get him?" 



'' Of course I can, my dear fellow," says Smith, de- 

 lighted; *' The Corner for horses, you know." 



^^ Ah— yes." 



^^Gunter for ices." 



''Ah!" 



*' And Bailey for chickens." 



'' Oh— ah ! thank'ee." Where is he to be found ?" 



'^ Close by here — Mount-street ; your cab will take you 

 there in two minutes." 



And to Mount-street Willie went, where he repeated 

 his wants to Mr, Bailey in propria persona. 



" Certainly, sir ; will you walk this way, and allow me 

 to show you some of my stock V 



'^ Well, no thank'ee ! I don't know much about them 

 myself; I'd rather leave it to you ; but I want a good 

 one, you know — one of the best, you know." 



'* Yes, sir, certainly." 



^' And send it to Thingammy Cottages, Alpha Road, 



M 2 



