on as the dinner itself."

During dinner, "Cobbler" Horn talked much about his voyage to and fro, and
his impressions of America. He had sent, by letter, during his absence, a
regular report, from time to time, of the progress of the sorrowful
business which had taken him across the sea; and with regard to that
neither he nor his sister was now inclined to speak at large.

After dinner, "Cobbler" Horn, somewhat to his sister's mortification,
retired to the office, for the purpose of receiving, from his secretary, a
report of the correspondence which had passed through her hands during his
absence.

Let it not be supposed that Miss Jemima was capable of entertaining
suspicion with regard to her brother. She would frown upon his doings and
disapprove of his opinions, with complete unreserve; but she would not
admit concerning him a shadow of mistrust. When, therefore, it is recorded
that his frequent and close intercourse with his young secretary
occasioned his sister uneasiness of mind, it must not be supposed that any
evil imagining intruded upon her thoughts. Miss Jemima was simply fearful
lest this young girl should, perhaps inadvertently, steal into the place
in her brother's heart which belonged to her. As "Cobbler" Horn and his
secretary sat in counsel, from time to time, in their respective
arm-chairs, at the opposite ends of the office table, neither of them
had any suspicion of Miss Jemima's jealous fears.

Miss Owen had dealt diligently, and with much shrewdness, with the
ever-inflowing tide of letters. Her labour was much lightened now by
reason of "Cobbler" Horn's having provided her with the best type-writer
that could be obtained for money. With regard to some of the letters, she
had ventured to avail herself of the advice of the minister; and she had
also, with great tact, consulted Miss Jemima on points with reference to
which the opinion of that lady was likely to be sound and safe. The
consequence was that the letters which remained to be considered were
comparatively few.

First, Miss Owen gave her employer an account of the letters of which she
had disposed; then she unfolded such matters as were still the subjects of
correspondence; and lastly she laid before him the letters with which she
had not been able to deal.

The most important of all the letters were two long ones from Messrs.
Tongs and Ball and Mr. Gray, respectively, relating to the improvements
in progress at Daisy Lane in general,