escaped the deadly ennui that is the result of continuous virtue. Master
Grindley, his star having pointed out to him a peacock's feather lying on
the ground, had, with one eye upon his unobservant parent, removed the
complicated coverings sheltering Miss Helvetia Appleyard from the world,
and anticipating by a quarter of a century the prime enjoyment of British
youth, had set to work to tickle that lady on the nose. Miss Helvetia
Appleyard awakened, did precisely what the tickled British maiden of to-
day may be relied upon to do under corresponding circumstances: she first
of all took swift and comprehensive survey of the male thing behind the
feather. Had he been displeasing in her eyes, she would, one may rely
upon it, have anteceded the behaviour in similar case of her descendant
of to-day--that is to say, have expressed resentment in no uncertain
terms. Master Nathaniel Grindley proving, however, to her taste, that
which might have been considered impertinence became accepted as a fit
and proper form of introduction. Miss Appleyard smiled graciously--nay,
further, intimated desire for more.

"That your only one?" asked the paternal Grindley.

"She's the only one," replied Solomon, speaking in tones less
pessimistic.

Miss Appleyard had with the help of Grindley junior wriggled herself into
a sitting posture. Grindley junior continued his attentions, the lady
indicating by signs the various points at which she was most susceptible.

"Pretty picture they make together, eh?" suggested Hezekiah in a whisper
to his friend.

"Never saw her take to anyone like that before," returned Solomon,
likewise in a whisper.

A neighbouring church clock chimed twelve. Solomon Appleyard, knocking
the ashes from his pipe, arose.

"Don't know any reason myself why we shouldn't see a little more of one
another than we do," suggested Grindley senior, shaking hands.

"Give us a look-up one Sunday afternoon," suggested Solomon. "Bring the
youngster with you."

Solomon Appleyard and Hezekiah Grindley had started life within a few
months of one another some five-and-thirty years before. Likewise within
a few hundred yards of one another, Solomon at his father's bookselling
and printing establishment on the east side of the High Street of a small
Yorkshire town; Hezekiah at his father's grocery shop upon the west side,
opposite. Both had married farmers' daughters. Solomon's natural bent
towards gaiety Fate had correct