is obliged
to accept any humor you may be in, as the right thing. You are one of
_us_, I take it."

"A very proud distinction," said he, gravely.

"Well, if it's nothing to crow, it's nothing to cry for! If the world
had nothing but top-sawyers, Bramleigh, there would be precious little
work done. Is that clock of yours, yonder, right--is it so late as
that?"

"I believe so," said Augustus, looking at his watch. "I want exactly ten
minutes to four."

"And the train starts at four precisely. That's so like me. I 've lost
my train, all for the sake of paying a visit to people who wished me at
the North Pole for my politeness."

"Oh, Mr. Cutbill," said Ellen, deprecatingly.

"I hope, Mr. Cutbill, we are fully sensible of the courtesy that
suggested your call."

"And _I 'm_ fully sensible that you and Miss Ellen have been on thorns
for the last half-hour, each muttering to himself, 'What will he say
next?' or worse than that, 'When will he go?"'

"I protest, sir, you are alike unjust to yourself and to us. We are
so thoroughly satisfied that you never intended to hurt us, that if
incidentally touched, we take it as a mere accident."

"That is quite the case, Mr. Cutbill," broke in Nelly; "and we know,
besides, that, if you had anything harsh or severe to say to us, it is
not likely you 'd take such a time as this to say it."

"You do me proud, ma'am," said Cutbill, who was not quite sure whether
he was complimented or reprimanded.

"Do, please, Augustus; I beg of you, do," whispered Nelly in her
brother's ear.

"You've already missed your train for us, Mr. Cutbill," said Augustus;
"will you add another sacrifice and come and eat a very humble dinner
with us at six o'clock?"

"Will I? I rayther think I will," cried he, joyfully. "Now that the
crisis is over, I may as well tell you I 've been angling for that
invitation for the last half-hour, saying every minute to myself, 'Now
it's coming,' or 'No, it ain't.' Twice you were on the brink of it,
Bramleigh, and you drifted away again, and at last I began to think I 'd
be driven to my lonely cutlet at the 'Leopold's Arms.' You said six; so
I 'll just finish a couple of letters for the post, and be here
sharp. Good-bye. Many thanks for the invite, though it was pretty long
a-coming." And with this he waved an adieu and departed.

CHAPTER XXXVI. AN EVENING WITH CUTBILL

When Nelly retired after dinner on that day, leaving Mr. Cutbill to
the enjoyment o