'bout raisin' et,
even by th' use o' globes--which some considers unekalled.'

"I put out my hand to cover Tamsin's, and looked up into her face
before I answered him with some heat--

"'I won't affect to misunderstand you. You mean that I am marrying
beneath me?'

"He hesitated.

"'There's two meanin's to 'beneath''

"'Ah!' I cried, 'I am glad you see that.'

"He looked at me slowly and continued--

"'Second p'int. Not so long agone you was talkin' of a Geraldin."

"I glanced at Tamsin again and comprehended.

"'I have been talking--?'

"She nodded.

"'And you know it all--the whole story?'

"She nodded again, with a world of healing pity in her eyes.
Then, with a swift glance at her brother, she stooped and kissed me.

"'Oh!' said Peter, very shortly; 'I'm thinkin' I'd best see Paul
'bout this;' and with that he disappeared.

"Whereupon," concluded Mr. Fogo, "I think I must have dropped asleep
again, for I remember nothing after this--at least, nothing that is
worth mention."

It is quite true that Mr. Fogo dropped asleep. He slept, moreover,
for a considerable time, and awoke to find Caleb seated beside the
bed.

"Where is Tam--Miss Dearlove?" he asked.

"There ain't no Dearlove, as I knaws by, called Tammis. The males
was chris'n'd Peter an' Paul, the female Thomasina: an' they'm gone."

"Gone?"

"Gone, an' left we like Hocken's duck, wi'out mate or fellow."

"How long?"

"Matter o' five hour'."

There was a long silence.

"Caleb!"

"Aye, aye, sir."

"How long do you think it will be before I can get about--be fit to
go downstairs, I mean?"

"Well, sir, I reckon et depends on yoursel'. Try, an' 'twill come,
as the Doctor said when Bill swallered 'arf-a-crown an' wanted to get
et up agen by Lady-Day, rent bein' doo."

"Do you think a week would do it?"

"Better say a fortni't, sir."

"What day is it to-day?"

"Thursday."

"Have I been ill for two days?"

"For a fortni't an' two days."

"Bless my soul!"

"Amen, sir."

"Caleb, would you mind writing a letter for me?"

Caleb had no objection; and the composition that followed may be
given in full, for works of divided authorship have always possessed
an interest of their own from the days of Homer, Homer and Homer
downwards:--

"Hond Twins,--"

"Mr. Fogo's complements to the pare of You not forgetting Miss
Thomasina and shall be glad if you will all Dine with me at
7 p.m. in the evening p