e Close?'

'Yes. It was me she went to see, but she didn't know it. I've just been
married to Miss Peckover. Sit down again, father, and let's talk over
things quietly.'

'Married to Miss Peckover?' repeated the old man, as if making an
effort to understand the words. 'Then why didn't you come here before?'

Joseph gave the explanation which he had already devised for the
benefit of his daughter. His manner of speaking was meant to be very
respectful, but it suggested that he looked upon the hearer as
suffering from feebleness of mind, as well as of body. He supplemented
his sentences with gestures and smiles, glancing about the room
meantime with looks of much curiosity.

'So you've been living here a long time, father? It was uncommonly good
of you to take care of my girl. I dare say you've got so used to having
her by you, you wouldn't care for her to go away now?'

'Do you wish to take Jane away?' Michael inquired gravely.

'No, no; not I! Why, it's nothing but her duty to keep you company and
be what use she can. She's happy enough, that I can see. Well, well;
I've gone through a good deal since the old days, father, and I'm not
what you used to know me. I'm gladder than I can say to find you so
easy in your old age. Neither Mike nor me did our duty by you, that's
only too sure. I wish I could have the time back again; but what's the
good of that? Can you tell me anything about Mike?'

'Yes. He died in Australia, about four years ago.'

'Did he now? Well, I've been in America, but I never got so far as
Australia. So Mike's dead, is he? I hope he had better luck than me.'

The old man did not cease from examining his son's countenance.

'What is your position, at present?' he asked, after a pause. 'You
don't look unprosperous.'

'Nothing to boast of, father. I've gone through all kinds of trades. In
the States I both made and lost money. I invented a new method of
nickel-plating, but it did me no good, and then I gave up that line
altogether. Since I've been back in England--two years about--I've
mostly gone in for canvassing, advertising agencies, and that kind of
thing. I make an honest living, and that's about all. But I shouldn't
wonder if things go a bit better now; I feel as if I was settled at
last. What with having a home of my own, and you and Janey near at
hand--You won't mind if I come and see you both now and then?'

'I shall hope to see you often,' replied the other, still keeping his
grav