Now Mr. Fitzwarren had many ships which sailed to distant lands.
When a ship sailed Mr. Fitzwarren let every one in his house send
something on it.
The things were sold, and when the ship came back, each person had the
money for what he had sent.
One of the ships was ready to sail.
Every one in the house except Dick had sent something.
"What is Dick going to send in the ship?" said Mr. Fitzwarren.
"Oh, that boy has nothing to send," said the cross cook.
"It is true," said poor Dick; "I have nothing but my dear cat."
"Well, then you must send your cat," said Mr. Fitzwarren.
How lonely poor Dick was without Puss!
[Illustration]
The cook made fun of him for sending a cat on the ship.
At last Dick became so unhappy that he made up his mind to run away.
He started early in the morning, before any one in the house was up.
He had gone but a short way when he heard the sound of the six great
bells of Bow.
As they rang, "Ding-dong, ding-dong!" they seemed to say:
Turn back, Whittington,
Lord Mayor of London.
"It is strange that the bells should speak to me," said Dick, "but if I
am to be Lord Mayor of London, I will gladly turn back."
So he ran back to the house of Mr. Fitzwarren.
"I hope they have not missed me," said Dick, as he gently opened the
door and stole softly in.