ington. There, you see what alarming
cataclysms have shaken the society you deserted. Now tell me about
yourself."

"Oh, I jog along," said Jenny.

Further reminiscence was interrupted by the entrance of Trewhella, who
saluted Castleton suspiciously and from shyness somewhat brusquely.

"How do you do sir?" said the guest, conspicuously agreeable.

"I'm very well, thank 'ee. Come far, have 'ee?"

"London."

"That's a poor sort of place. I was there once. But I didn't take much
account of it," said Trewhella.

"You found it disappointing?"

"Ess, ess, too many Cockneys for a Cornishman. But I wasn't robbed
over-much. I believe I was too sharp for them."

"I'm glad of that," said the representative of cities.

"You do talk a lot of rot about London," said Jenny contemptuously. "As
if you could know _any_thing about it!"

"I found all I wanted, my dear," said Trewhella winking. He seemed in a
mind to impress the foreigner.

"By carrying off Je--Mrs. Trewhella, eh?" said Castleton. "Come, after
that, I don't think you ought to grumble at London."

Trewhella darted a suspicious glance as if to demand by what right this
intruder dared to comment on his behavior.

The presence of a stranger at tea threw a munching silence over all the
lower end of the table; but Castleton made a great impression on Granfa,
who asked him a number of questions and sighed admiration for each new
and surprising answer.

"But there's one thing I believe you can't tell me," said Granfa. "Or if
you can, you're a marvel."

"And what is that?" inquired Castleton.

"I've asked scores of men this question," said Granfa proudly.
"Hundreds, I suppose, and there wasn't one of them could give me an
answer."

"You really alarm me this time," said Castleton.

Granfa braced himself by swallowing a large mouthful of pasty and
delivered his poser almost reverently.

"Can you tell me, mister, in what county o' Scotland is John o' Groats?"

"Caithness, I think," said Castleton.

Granfa coughed violent appreciation and thumped on the table in
amazement.

"Hark, all you men and maidens down to the end of the table! I've asked
that question in Cornwall, and I've asked that question in Australia.
I've asked Scotchmen even, and I'm a brae old man now. But there wasn't
one who could speak the answer till--till----" he paused, before the
Cornish title of affection and respect--"Cap'n Castleton here spoke it
straight away at once. Wish you we