ce fell, and Netta looked malicious.

'Not likely to sleep there to-night, boy,' said the farmer; 'mother has
got visitors.'

'Visitors!' exclaimed Owen, 'and gone to bed already! what sleepy
people.'

'Some of your friends of the cowld and hungry sort,' said the farmer.

'Not mother's old friends, and my relations, the Irish beggars?'

'Singular number, and a young lady!' said the farmer with a sneer and a
puff of the tobacco with which he was beginning to solace himself, at
the sight of the bread and cheese that were appearing.

'A poor girl, Owen, who was taken ill,' said Mrs Prothero.

'I understand it all, mother; never mind, she's welcome for once,
provided I get a good bed, but to-morrow she must turn out.'

'Very well, my dear,' said Mrs Prothero submissively; for Owen, though a
prodigal, was the eldest son, and generally had his own way.

'Now don't be frightened at my appetite,' said Owen, sitting down to
cold meat and strong ale.

'Bless you and your appetite,' said Mrs Prothero, kissing his forehead;
upon which he jumped up again, and hugged her with all his heart.

'Now, Netta, let us go and see about the sheets,' said Mrs Prothero,
smoothing her dress.

The mother and daughter left the room, and were not long in preparing
the best bedroom for Owen. This done, they hastened back to the hall,
where they found diminished ham and increased smoke, Owen having lighted
a short pipe, and taken to smoking with his father, over a large jug of
ale.

'We must have your adventures to-night, Owen,' cried Netta, as she
entered, 'and you must tell us why you came home so very shabby. I
suppose you have been wrecked on a desert island.'

'To be sure,' said Owen, laying down the pipe. 'But I must go out and
find my wardrobe, and all my valuables, that my hospitable Daddy there
caused me to throw down, when he gave me such a warm welcome.'

Owen disappeared, but soon returned with a box in his hands, apparently
of some weight, and a bundle slung across his shoulder, suspended on a
walking stick. Putting down the box he began to sing,--

'A handkerchief held all the treasure I had.'

whilst he flourished his walking-stick and bundle over his mother's
head. When he had finished his song, he put down his bundle and went to
the box.

'I have shown you the size of my wardrobe, now allow me to show off the
rest of my fortune and stock in trade. Father, you shall have the first
peep. Let me put my box on