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.But as the evening drew on, the anxietyof both of them increased, and every sound of wheels made hisfather raise himself in his bed, and his mother peep out of the window.Diamond had resolved to go straight to the cab-stand where he wasbest known, and never to crawl for fear of getting annoyed by idlers.Before he got across Oxford Street, however, he was hailed by a manwho wanted to catch a train, and was in too great a hurry to thinkabout the driver.Having carried him to King's Cross in good time,and got a good fare in return, he set off again in great spirits,and reached the stand in safety.He was the first there after all.As the men arrived they all greeted him kindly, and inquired afterhis father."Ain't you afraid of the old 'oss running away with you?" asked one."No, he wouldn't run away with me," answered Diamond."He knowsI'm getting the shillings for father.Or if he did he would onlyrun home.""Well, you're a plucky one, for all your girl's looks!" said the man;"and I wish ye luck.""Thank you, sir," said Diamond."I'll do what I can.I cameto the old place, you see, because I knew you would let me havemy turn here."In the course of the day one man did try to cut him out, but hewas a stranger; and the shout the rest of them raised let him seeit would not do, and made him so far ashamed besides, that he wentaway crawling.Once, in a block, a policeman came up to him, and asked him forhis number.Diamond showed him his father's badge, saying with a smile:"Father's ill at home, and so I came out with the cab.There's nofear of me.I can drive.Besides, the old horse could go alone.""Just as well, I daresay.You're a pair of 'em.But you area rum 'un for a cabby--ain't you now?" said the policeman."I don't know as I ought to let you go.""I ain't done nothing," said Diamond."It's not my fault I'mno bigger.I'm big enough for my age.""That's where it is," said the man."You ain't fit.""How do you know that?" asked Diamond, with his usual smile,and turning his head like a little bird."Why, how are you to get out of this ruck now, when it beginsto move?""Just you get up on the box," said Diamond, "and I'll show you.There, that van's a-moving now.Jump up."The policeman did as Diamond told him, and was soon satisfiedthat the little fellow could drive."Well," he said, as he got down again, "I don't know as I shouldbe right to interfere.Good luck to you, my little man!""Thank you, sir," said Diamond, and drove away.In a few minutes a gentleman hailed him."Are you the driver of this cab?" he asked."Yes, sir" said Diamond, showing his badge, of which, he was proud."You're the youngest cabman I ever saw.How am I to know you won'tbreak all my bones?""I would rather break all my own," said Diamond."But if you're afraid,never mind me; I shall soon get another fare.""I'll risk it," said the gentleman; and, opening the door himself,he jumped in.He was going a good distance, and soon found that Diamond got himover the ground well.Now when Diamond had only to go straight ahead,and had not to mind so much what he was about, his thoughts alwaysturned to the riddle Mr.Raymond had set him; and this gentlemanlooked so clever that he fancied he must be able to read it for him.He had given up all hope of finding it out for himself, and he couldnot plague his father about it when he was ill.He had thoughtof the answer himself, but fancied it could not be the right one,for to see how it all fitted required some knowledge of physiology.So, when he reached the end of his journey, he got down very quickly,and with his head just looking in at the window, said, as the gentlemangathered his gloves and newspapers:"Please, sir, can you tell me the meaning of a riddle?""You must tell me the riddle first," answered the gentleman, amused.Diamond repeated the riddle."Oh! that's easy enough," he returned."It's a tree.""Well, it ain't got no mouth, sure enough; but how then does iteat all day long?""It sucks in its food through the tiniest holes in its leaves,"he answered."Its breath is its food.And it can't do it exceptin the daylight.""Thank you, sir, thank you," returned Diamond."I'm sorry Icouldn't find it out myself; Mr.Raymond would have been betterpleased with me.""But you needn't tell him any one told you."Diamond gave him a stare which came from the very back of thenorth wind, where that kind of thing is unknown."That would be cheating," he said at last."Ain't you a cabby, then?""Cabbies don't cheat.""Don't they? I am of a different opinion.""I'm sure my father don't.""What's your fare, young innocent?""Well, I think the distance is a good deal over three miles--that's two shillings.Only father says sixpence a mile is too little,though we can't ask for more.""You're a deep one.But I think you're wrong.It's over four miles--not much, but it is.""Then that's half-a-crown," said Diamond."Well, here's three shillings.Will that do?""Thank you kindly, sir.I'll tell my father how good you were to me--first to tell me my riddle, then to put me right about the distance,and then to give me sixpence over.It'll help father to get well again,it will.""I hope it may, my man.I shouldn't wonder if you're as goodas you look, after all."As Diamond returned, he drew up at a stand he had never been on before:it was time to give Diamond his bag of chopped beans and oats.The men got about him, and began to chaff him.He took it allgood-humouredly, until one of them, who was an ill-conditioned fellow,began to tease old Diamond by poking him roughly in the ribs,and making general game of him.That he could not bear, and thetears came in his eyes.He undid the nose-bag, put it in the boot,and was just going to mount and drive away, when the fellow interfered,and would not let him get up.Diamond endeavoured to persuade him,and was very civil, but he would have his fun out of him,as he said.In a few minutes a group of idle boys had assembled,and Diamond found himself in a very uncomfortable position.Another cab drew up at the stand, and the driver got off and approachedthe assemblage."What's up here?" he asked, and Diamond knew the voice.It wasthat of the drunken cabman."Do you see this young oyster? He pretends to drive a cab,"said his enemy."Yes, I do see him.And I sees you too.You'd better leave him alone.He ain't no oyster.He's a angel come down on his own business.You be off, or I'll be nearer you than quite agreeable."The drunken cabman was a tall, stout man, who did not look oneto take liberties with."Oh! if he's a friend of yours," said the other, drawing back.Diamond got out the nose-bag again.Old Diamond should have hisfeed out now."Yes, he is a friend o' mine.One o' the best I ever had.It's a pity he ain't a friend o' yourn.You'd be the better for it,but it ain't no fault of hisn."When Diamond went home at night, he carried with him one poundone shilling and sixpence, besides a few coppers extra, which hadfollowed some of the fares
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