perfect
digestion, like all the Wentworths, and got up accordingly, in a good
temper, not disposed to make too much of any little incivility that
might have taken place. On the contrary, he helped himself to his
brother's favourite omelet with the most engaging cheerfulness, and
entered into such conversation as might be supposed to suit a
Perpetual Curate in a little country town.

"I daresay you have a good many nice people about here," said Jack.
"I've done nothing but walk about since I came--and it does a man good
to see those fresh little women with their pink cheeks. There's one, a
sister of our friend's, I believe," he continued, with a nod towards
the door to indicate Wodehouse--"an uncommonly pretty girl, I can tell
you; and there's a little rosebud of a creature at that shop, whom,
they tell me, you're interested in. Your living is not worth much, I
suppose? It's unlucky having two clergymen in a family; but, to be
sure, you're going in for Skelmersdale. By the way, that reminds
me--how are the aunts? I have not heard anything of them for ages.
Female relations of that description generally cling to the parsons of
the race. I suppose they are all living--all three? Some people never
seem to die."

"They are here," said the Curate, succinctly, "living in Carlingford.
I wonder nobody has told you."

A sudden bright spark lighted in the prodigal's eyes. "Ah, they are
here, are they?" he said, after a momentary pause; "so much the better
for you; but in justice you ought to be content with the living. I say
so as your elder brother. Gerald has the best right to what they've
got to leave. By the by, how are Gerald and the rest? you've just been
there. I suppose our respected parent goes on multiplying. To think of
so many odious little wretches calling themselves Wentworth is enough
to make one disgusted with the name."

"My father was very ill when I left; he has had another attack," said
the Curate. "He does not seem able to bear any agitation. Your telegram
upset him altogether. I don't know what you've been about--he did not
tell me," continued the younger brother, with a little emotion, "but he
is very uneasy about you."

"Ah, I daresay," said Jack; "that's natural; but he's wonderfully
tough for such an old fellow. I should say it would take twenty
attacks to finish him; and this is the second, isn't it? I wonder how
long an interval there was between the two; it would be a pretty
calculation for a _p