ive!" repeated Captain Barber. "Why shouldn't he be? He was alive
yesterday, wasn't he?"

There was a dead silence, and then Captain Barber from beneath his
shaggy eyebrows observed with delight that Gibson, tapping his forehead
significantly, gave a warning glance at the others, while all four
sitting in a row watched anxiously for the first signs of acute mania.

"I expect he's gone round after you, my dear," said the wily Barber to
Miss Banks.

In the circumstances this was certainly cruel, and Gibson coughed
confusedly.

"I'll go and see," said Miss Banks, hurriedly; "come along, mother."

The two ladies, followed by Mr. Gibson, shook hands and withdrew
hurriedly. Captain Barber, wondering how to greet Mrs. Church after he
had let them out, fixed his eyes on the carpet and remained silent.

"Aren't you well?" enquired the lady, tenderly.

"Well, ma'am?" repeated Uncle Barber, with severity.

"Ma'am?" said Mrs. Church, in tones of tender reproach; "two hours ago I
was Laura. Have you been to the 'Thorn'?"

"What 'Thorn'?" demanded Captain Barber, who had decided to forget as
much as possible, as the only safe way.

"The Thorn Inn," said Mrs. Church, impatiently.

"Where is it?" enquired Captain Barber, ingenuously.

Mrs. Church looked at him with deep consideration. "Why, at the end of
the cottages, opposite the '_Swan_."

"What '_Swan_'?" enquired Captain Barber.

"The Swan Inn," said Mrs. Church, restraining her temper, but with
difficulty.

"Where is it?" said Uncle Barber, with breezy freshness.

"Opposite the 'Thorn,' at the end of the row," said Mrs. Church, slowly.

"Well, what about it?" enquired Captain Barber.

"Nothing," said Mrs. Church, sharply, and proceeded to set supper.

Captain Barber, hugging himself over his scheme, watched her eagerly,
evincing a little bewilderment as she brought on a small, unappetizing
rind of cheese, bread, two glasses, and a jug of water. He checked
himself just in time from asking for the cold fowl and bacon left from
dinner, and, drawing his chair to the table, eyed the contents closely.

"Only bread and cheese?" he said, somewhat peevishly.

"That's all," said Mrs. Church, smiling; "bread and cheese and kisses."

Captain Barber tapped his forehead. "What did we have for dinner?" he
asked, suddenly.

"Sausages," replied Mrs. Church, blandly; "we ate them all."

A piece of Captain Barber's cheese went the wrong way, and he poured
himself out som