ance, it is likely he will follow the dictates of his own,
Mrs. Kennyfeck," said the attorney, solemnly.

This fencing was too much for Mrs. Kennyfeck, in whom the Job-like
element was always at zero. It was an insult, too, to her understanding,
that Mr. Kennyfeck should skirmish in this fashion with _her_; and so,
drawing herself proudly up, she said,--

"Mr. Kennyfeck, I would wish to ask you, if you have, even upon one
single occasion, discovered that _my_ knowledge of the world, _my_ tact,
or _my_ intelligence, were inferior to your own?"

"Never, madam; I'm sure I never disputed the--"

"No, sir, you never dared to contest the fact, though you may have
endeavored to escape from its application. I believe, sir, the only
instance of deficient judgment I can be accused of, _you_, at least,
ought not to reproach me with. 'My family'"--this was a word Mrs.
Kennyfeck used to enunciate with an emphasis that always impressed her
husband very little provocation might possibly have made her say, "our
house"--"my family, indeed, may refuse to forgive me"--she stopped,
wiped her eyes, and then, with what seemed an heroic victory over her
feelings, went on--"but the welfare of my children, sir, may well be
conceived dear to one, who would not league to them the unhappy descent
she has herself suffered."

Mrs. Kennyfeck paused again. It appeared as though, do what she would,
there was no escaping from the theme of her _mesalliance_ when once she
had touched it. It was very birdlime in its adhesiveness.

"When, therefore, Mr. Kennyfeck, the occasion presents itself of
resuming, through my children--for alas! it is lost to me in my own
person--the station I have forfeited, I do think that I should at least
be consulted, that my advice should be asked, and my guidance required.
Don't you think so too, sir?"

Now, of all men living, never was there one more inept to read riddles
than poor Mr. Kennyfeck, and while he averred that he perfectly
concurred in his wife's opinion, he had not the faintest glimmering of a
notion what that opinion implied.

"Don't you think, sir, also it would be better to use a little candor
with your family?"

"Yes, pa, we know all about it," said Miss Kennyfeck, nodding
significantly.

"Ay, indeed, we had it in black and white--that is, if we can call a bit
of burnt--"

"Aunt Fanny, what are you about?" cried Miss Kennyfeck, in a voice of
real terror, for she was shocked at the meanness she d