even promised them all some hints on the very
latest gowns, before Sam Buzza, weary of silence, called across the
room--

"I say, dad, what do you think is the news about the seedy-looking
fellow you treated by mistake to all that speechifying?"

The Admiral looked daggers, but Sam was imperturbable.

"Ho, ho! I say, Mr. Goodwyn-Sandys, the governor took him for you,
and welcomed him to Troy in his best style-flower in his buttonhole
and all--'twas as good as a play. Well, the fellow has taken Kit's
House."

"Kit's House!"

"Yes, and lives there all alone, with Caleb Trotter for servant.
I'd advise you to call, now that you've got your Sunday best on.
I'm sure he'd like to thank you for that speech you made him."

"Be quiet, sir!"

"Oh, very well; only I thought I'd mention it. I'm afraid I must be
going, Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys." Sam held out his hand.

"Must you? Good-bye, then," she said, "but remember, you have to
come and be taught innocence."

"Oh, I'll remember, never fear," answered Sam, and departed.

The Admiral also rose.

"I trust," he said, "that this may be the beginning of a pleasant
intimacy. My wife will be most happy to give you any information
concerning our little town that I may have omitted. By the way, how
is Lord Sinkport? I really forgot to ask. Quite well? I am so
glad. I was afraid the gout--Come, Sophy, my dear, we have
trespassed long enough. Good-morning!"

He was gone. Scarcely, however, could his host and hostess exchange
glances before he reappeared.

"Oh, Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys, that quotation--I have just remembered it.
It was, 'Welcome, little strangers!' The original, I believe, has
the singular--'little stranger'--but the slight change makes it more
appropriate. 'Welcome, little strangers!' Good-morning!"

O Troy, Troy! Scarcely had the garden gate creaked again, when Mr.
and Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys looked at each other for a moment, then sank
into arm-chairs, and broke into peals of the most unaffected
laughter.

"Nellie, hand me a cigar. This beats cock-fighting."

"Whist, me dear!" answered the lady, relapsing into honest brogue,
"but Brady is the bhoy to know the ropes."

"I believe you, Nellie."

Outside the garden gate the Admiral had fallen into a brown study.

"I perceive," he said, at length, very thoughtfully, "that wine and
biscuits have gone out of fashion, as concomitants of a morning call.
In some ways I regret it; but they are evidently