s full of knowingness at those times as
they were stupid and slit-like at others. He was a great favourite of
mine was Tom, and had been ever since I found him, a half-starved kitten
in the area, and took him in and fed him till he grew up the fine cat he
was.

"There's going to be trouble come of it, Tom," I used to say; and to my
mind, the best thing that could have happened for us would have been for
over-the-way to have stopped empty; for, instead of things going on
smoothly and pleasantly, they got worse every day. Sir John said very
little, but he was a man who noticed a great deal. Mr Barclay grew
restless and strange, but he never said a word now about going away.
While, as for Miss Virginia, she seemed to me to be growing older and
more serious in a wonderful way; but when she was spoken to, she had
always a pleasant smile and a bright look, though it faded away again
directly, just as the sunshine does when there are clouds. She used to
pass the greater part of her time reading to Sir John, and she kept his
accounts for him and wrote his letters; and one morning as I was
clearing away the breakfast things, Mr Barclay being there, reading the
paper, Sir John says sharply: "Those people opposite haven't paid their
first quarter's rent."

No one spoke for a moment or two, and then in a fidgety sharp way, Mr
Barclay says: "Why, it was only due yesterday, father."

"Thank you, sir," says Sir John, in a curiously polite way; "I know
that; but it was due yesterday, and it ought to have been paid.--'Ginny,
write a note to the Misses Mimpriss with my compliments, and say I shall
be obliged by their sending the rent."

Miss Virginia got up and walked across to the writing-table; and I went
on very slowly clearing the cloth, for Sir John always treated me as if
I was a piece of furniture; but I felt uncomfortable, for it seemed to
me that there was going to be a quarrel.

I was right; for as Miss Virginia began to write, Mr Barclay crushed
the newspaper up in his hands and said hotly: "Surely, father, you are
not going to insult those ladies by asking them for the money the moment
it is due."

"Yes, I am, sir," says the old gentleman sharply; "and you mind your own
business. When I'm dead, you can collect your rents as you like; while
I live, I shall do the same."

Miss Virginia got up quickly and went and laid her hand upon Sir John's
breast without saying a word; but her pretty appealing act meant a deal,