o my house this evening,' said Mrs. Humdrum, 'and you will find
Yram there.' He came, he found me, and within a fortnight we were man
and wife."

"How much does not all this explain," said George, smiling but very
gravely. "And you are going to ask me to forgive you for robbing me of
such a father."

"He has forgiven me, my dear, for robbing him of such a son. He never
reproached me. From that day to this he has never given me a harsh word
or even syllable. When you were born he took to you at once, as, indeed,
who could help doing? for you were the sweetest child both in looks and
temper that it is possible to conceive. Your having light hair and eyes
made things more difficult; for this, and your being born, almost to the
day, nine months after Higgs had left us, made people talk--but your
father kept their tongues within bounds. They talk still, but they liked
what little they saw of Higgs, they like the Mayor and me, and they like
you the best of all; so they please themselves by having the thing both
ways. Though, therefore, you are son to the Mayor, Higgs cast some
miraculous spell upon me before he left, whereby my son should be in some
measure his as well as the Mayor's. It was this miraculous spell that
caused you to be born two months too soon, and we called you by Higgs's
first name as though to show that we took that view of the matter
ourselves.

"Mrs. Humdrum, however, was very positive that there was no spell at all.
She had repeatedly heard her father say that the Mayor's grandfather was
light-haired and blue-eyed, and that every third generation in that
family a light-haired son was born. The people believe this too. Nobody
disbelieves Mrs. Humdrum, but they like the miracle best, so that is how
it has been settled.

"I never knew whether Mrs. Humdrum told her husband, but I think she
must; for a place was found almost immediately for my husband in Mr.
Humdrum's business. He made himself useful; after a few years he was
taken into partnership, and on Mr. Humdrum's death became head of the
firm. Between ourselves, he says laughingly that all his success in life
was due to Higgs and me."

"I shall give Mrs. Humdrum a double dose of kissing," said George
thoughtfully, "next time I see her."

"Oh, do, do; she will so like it. And now, my darling boy, tell your
poor mother whether or no you can forgive her."

He clasped her in his arms, and kissed her again and again, but for a
time he