should he? So far from that, I know that he loves Hycy at
heart, all that he wishes is that Hycy would speak to him in his natural
voice, and treat him with respect, and the feeling that surely is due
to him. And so Hycy will, father; I am sure he respects and loves you in
spite of this levity and affectation. All we want is for each to give
up a little of his own way--when you become more respectful, Hycy, my
father's manner will change too: let us be at least sincere and natural
with each other, and there is nothing that I can see to prevent us from
living very happily."

"I have some money saved," said Burke, turning to his wife--"a good
penny--too, more than the world thinks; and I declare to my God I would
give it twice over if I could hear that young man," pointing to Hycy,
"speak these words with the same heart and feelings of him that spoke
them; but I fear that 'ud be a hopeless wish on my part, an' ever will."

"No, father," said Edward, "it will not--Hycy and you will soon
understand one another. Hycy will see what, his duty towards you is,
and, sooner than be the means of grieving your heart, he will change the
foolish and thoughtless habit that offends you."

"Well, Edward, may God grant it," exclaimed his father rising up from
breakfast, "and that's all I have to say----God grant it!"

"Why, Sir Oracle, junior," said Hycy, after his father had gone out, "or
rather Solomon Secundus, if you are now an unfledged philosopher on our
hand, what will you not be when your opinions are grown?"

"My dear brother," replied Edward, I cannot see what on earth you can
propose to yourself by adopting this ridiculous style of conversation
I cannot really see any object you can have in it. If it be to vex or
annoy my father, can you blame him if he feels both vexed and annoyed at
it.

"Most sapiently said, Solomon Secundus--

"'Solomon Lob was a ploughman stout,
And a ranting cavalier;
And, when the civil war broke out,
It quickly did appear
That Solomon Lob was six feet high,
And fit for a grenadier.
So Solomon Lob march'd boldly forth
To sounds of bugle horns
And a weary march had Solomon Lob,
For Solomon Lob had corns.
Row,--ra--ra--row--de--dow.'

"And so I wish you a good morning, most sapient Solomon. I go on
business of importance affecting--the welfare of the nation, or rather
of the empire at large--embracing all these regions, antipodial and
oth