aking steps
to have my new name painted up outside the Stores, and I am
informing by circular all those whom it may concern. Your
interest in me, Reverend Sir, has made me venture to tell you,
before any one else, of the proposed alteration. I therefore
sign myself, most Reverend Sir,

"Yours very faithfully,

"ALFRED HEAD."

"I think Head is a horrid name!" said his wife imprudently. "I don't
think 'Polly Head' is half as nice as 'Polly Hegner.' Why, mother used
to know a horrid old man called Head. He was a scavenger, and he only
cleaned himself once a year--on Christmas Day!"

Then, as she saw the thunderclouds gathering, she exclaimed in a rather
frightened tone, "But don't mind what _I_ say, Manfred. You know best. I
daresay I'll get used to it soon!"

As they went downstairs Polly had been thinking.

"I fancy you've had this in your mind for some time."

"What makes you fancy that?" he asked.

"Because we've so near got to the end of our stock of cards and
bill-heads," she said, "and you wouldn't let me order any more last
week."

"You're a sharp girl"--he laughed. "Well, yes! I have been thinking of
it some time. And what's happened now has just tipped the bucket--see?"

"Yes, I see that."

"I've already written out the order for new bill-heads and new cards!
and I've sent round the order about Monday," he went on. "But if this
dratted Bank Holiday goes on, there won't be much work done in Witanbury
on Monday! Hush! Here she comes."

There had come a ring at the back door. Polly went out, and a moment
later brought back the old German woman.

Anna was surprised to find the husband and wife alone. She had thought
that the Froehlings at least would be there.

"Well, Mrs. Bauer"--her host spoke in German--"a friend or two who were
coming have failed, and you will have to put up with me, for my wife has
to go up to the Deanery to see her sister. But you and I will have
plenty to talk about at such a time as this. And I have got some papers
from Berlin for you. I do not know how much longer they will be coming
to England."

The old woman's face lighted up. Yes, it would be very nice to see one
or two of the grand German picture papers which had been lately started
in the Fatherland in imitation of those which were so popular in
England.

"Do not trouble to look at them now," he added hastily. "You can take
them home with you. Mrs. Otway, she is too broad-minded