pression with which he was regarding the
antics of Mr. Brown, as that gentleman wafted kisses to the four winds
of heaven.

There was a pause, broken by a short, dry cough from the parlor window.
The girl, who was almost touching the sill, started nervously.

"It's only my missis," said Mr. Jobling.

The girl turned and gazed in at the window. Mr. Jobling, with the stem
of his pipe, performed a brief ceremony of introduction.

"Good-evening," said Mrs. Jobling, in a thin voice. "I don't know who
you are, but I s'pose my 'usband does."

"I met him the other night," said the girl, with a bright smile; "I
slipped on a piece of peel or something and fell, and he was passing and
helped me up."

Mrs. Jobling coughed again. "First I've heard of it," she remarked.

"I forgot to tell you," said Mr. Jobling, carelessly. "I hope you wasn't
hurt much, miss?"

"I twisted my ankle a bit, that's all," said the girl; "it's painful
when I walk."

"Painful now?" inquired Mr. Jobling, in concern.

The girl nodded. "A little; not very."

Mr. Jobling hesitated; the contortions of Mr. Brown's face as he strove
to make a wink carry across the road would have given pause to a bolder
man; and twice his wife's husky little cough had sounded from the
window.

"I s'pose you wouldn't like to step inside and rest for five minutes?"
he said, slowly.

"Oh, thank you," said the girl, gratefully; "I should like to. It--it
really is very painful. I ought not to have walked so far."

She limped in behind Mr. Jobling, and after bowing to Mrs. Jobling sank
into the easy-chair with a sigh of relief and looked keenly round the
room. Mr. Jobling disappeared, and his wife flushed darkly as he came
back with his coat on and his hair wet from combing. An awkward silence
ensued.

"How strong your husband is!" said the girl, clasping her hands
impulsively.

"Is he?" said Mrs. Jobling.

"He lifted me up as though I had been a feather," responded the girl.
"He just put his arm round my waist and had me on my feet before I knew
where I was."

"Round your waist?" repeated Mrs. Jobling.

"Where else should I put it?" broke in her husband, with sudden
violence.

His wife made no reply, but sat gazing in a hostile fashion at the bold,
dark eyes and stylish hat of the visitor.

"I should like to be strong," said the latter, smiling agreeably over at
Mr. Jobling.

"When I was younger," said that gratified man, "I can assure you I
didn't know