her eyes.

"I don't mean exactly in the same way as that child's father, but I am
in the same line. When I was a younger man I used to sit in the office
of a newspaper every alternate night to receive the foreign telegrams
as they came in. It was rather trying. Ah, Mrs. Rowles, while half
the world is asleep in bed the other half is hard at work getting
things ready for the sleepers when they waken. Do you know that, my
dear?" he finished, as he turned to Emily.

"Yes, sir," replied Emily. "The people in Australia are asleep while
the people in England are awake."

The gentleman laughed. "I did not mean that exactly, but you are quite
right, my child. Yes, day and night come turn about to most of us. I
am taking life easier now as I grow old. Most of my work is over. It
is my boy's turn to go on with the task. One wants rest after the heat
and burden of the day; and it is a blessed thing when at evening time
there is light, and we can think over the mistakes and the mercies of
the past, and look forward to the repose and joy of the future."

These words were so serious that Mrs. Rowles did not attempt to reply
to them. And presently Mr. Burnet roused himself from his solemn
thoughts and said brightly, "There! clear shining after rain. Now, we
must say good-bye and go home."

While Mr. Burnet and Mrs. Rowles had been talking, Roberts and the
lock-keeper had also been conversing.

"It is my own fault," Rowles said, "and my wife's. One might know
that a London girl like that would be sure to get into trouble in the
country. Her father's a printer; sits up all night, and naturally
never has his head clear for anything."

"Oh, come now," replied Roberts; "you are too hard on printers, you
are. If they were not clear-headed I don't see how they could set up
their type without more mistakes than they make. Why, I've had
relations myself in the printing line, and Mr. Burnet is a
master-printer himself."

"Is he now?" said Rowles.

"That's what we're down here for. He's bought up half the _Thames
Valley Times and Post_, and he wants to live near the works, and while
we are looking out for a house we have to stay at the hotel. Mr.
Leonard is going into the business too, as soon as he is old enough."

Roberts had just reached this point when Mr. Burnet came out from the
house. Rowles looked with more interest at the old gentleman who was
in the same line with Thomas Mitchell, and from that moment began to
think better