could not be treated with the
severity they deserved. It was truest wisdom to take no notice, and
lead the conversation to wiser topics.

"Any news in the great world to-day, father?" she inquired airily. "Any
nice little bits of gossip to tell us? We look forward to hearing your
news, you know, as part of the day's excitement."

"My news, indeed! Gossip, she calls it. If you had to provide for half
a dozen daughters, Miss Christabel, you wouldn't find much time to spend
in `gossip.' I go to town to work, and leave it to you at home to run
round collecting the news of the neighbourhood. I know nothing. I hear
nothing. Men don't trouble themselves with gossip."

Seven long-drawn gasps of incredulity greeted this utterance; seven
pairs of eyes rolled involuntarily to the ceiling; seven heads wagged in
accusation.

"Oh, oh, oh! Who goes on 'Change and is told the latest jokes? Who
goes to a _cafe_ after lunch and smokes with his cronies? Who has
afternoon tea, and talks again? Who travels every day with the same men
in the train, and hears everything, every--single--tiny--weeny snap of
news that has happened within ten miles around?"

"Don't know, I'm sure. I don't!"

"Oh, oh! Who told us about Evan Bruce, and about Mabel's engagement,
and the robbery at the Priory, and--and--"

"For pity's sake, stop talking all at once! Take it in turns. Speak in
pairs if you must, but not in a perfect orchestra. I didn't know I had
been the first to hear any of those thrilling incidents, but it was
quite an exception if I did. We generally read reviews, or talk
business. I've no news for you to-night, at any rate."

"You always say so at first, dear. You're so forgetful. Think again.
Frank Brightwen, now--he told you something?"

"Gold Reef shares gone up two per cent. Market closed firm, with a
tendency to rise."

"I shall buy some at once. I like things that are going to rise. Be
sensible now, for I shall have to go to bed in ten minutes, and I do so
want to be amused. Had Mr Keeling nothing interesting to relate?"

"Bad cold, and feared influenza. Details of his last attack.
Prescriptions from all the other fellows, with accounts of their own
experiences."

"Deah me, how appalling! Worse than a tea-party! I had no ideah men
could be so dull. Nobody engaged? Nobody married? Nobody going to
give a dance? No new people coming to live in the neighbourhood?"

"Ha!" Mr Rendell struck an att