yed an evil tendency to emphasise his remarks by
slapping his acquaintances upon the back. He was also guilty of
supposing a defect of hearing in all persons older than, or in any
measure denied the absolute plethora of physical vigour so conspicuous
in, himself. He invariably raised his voice in addressing Richard. In
return for which graceful attention Dickie most cordially detested him.

"Image is a bit of a cad, and certainly Calmady makes no bones about
letting him know it," Captain Fawkes remarked to Mr. Seymour, as they
drove back to Farley in the latter's dog-cart. "Fortunately he has a
hide like a rhinoceros, or we should have had a regular row between
them more than once this morning. Calmady's generally charming; but I
must say, when he likes, he can be about the most insolent fellow I've
ever met, in a gentleman-like way."

"A great deal of that is simply self-protective," the clergyman
answered. "It is not difficult to see how it comes about, when you take
his circumstances into account. If I was him, God forgive me, I know I
shouldn't be half so sweet tempered. He bears it wonderfully well, all
things considered."

Nor did the disturbing incidents of the day end with the familiarities
of the loud-voiced brewer. The principal case to be tried was a
melancholy one enough--a miserable history or wayward desire, shame and
suffering, followed by a despairing course of lies and petty thieving
to help support the poor baby whose advent seemed so wholly a curse.
The young mother--a pretty, desperate creature--made no attempt at
denial. She owned she had robbed her mistress of a shilling here and
sixpence there, that she had taken now a bit of table silver and then a
garment to the pawn-shop. How could she help it? Her wages were a
trifle, since her character was damaged. Wasn't it a charity to employ
a girl like her at all, so her mistress said? And yet the child must
live. And Richard Calmady, sitting in judgment there, with those four
other gentlemen of substantial means and excellent position, sickened
as he listened to the sordid details, the relentless elementary
arguments. For the girl, awed and frightened at first, grew eloquent in
self-defense.--"She loved him"--he being a smart young fellow, who,
with excellent recommendations from Chifney, had left the Brockhurst
stables some two years before, to take service in Westchurch.--"And he
always spoke her fair. Had told her he'd marry her right enough, after