sionally. And there were other
callers. Captain Elisha's unexpected departure from Mrs. Hepton's
boarding house had caused a sensation and much regret to that select
establishment. The landlady, aided and abetted by Mrs. Van Winkle
Ruggles, would have given a farewell tea in his honor, but he declined.
"Don't you do it," he said. "I like my tea pretty strong, and farewells
are watery sort of things, the best of 'em. And this ain't a real
farewell, anyhow."

"'Say _au revoir_, but not good-by,'" sang Miss Sherborne sentimentally.

"That's it. Everybody knows what good-by means. We'll say the other
thing--as well as we can--and change it to 'Hello' the very first time
any of you come out to see us."

They were curious to know his reason for leaving. He explained that his
niece was sort of lonesome and needed country air; he was going to live
with her, for the present. Consequently Mrs. Ruggles, on the trail of
aristocracy, was the first to call. Hers was a stately and ceremonious
visit. They were glad when it was over. Lawton, the bookseller and his
wife, came and were persuaded to remain and dine. Caroline liked them at
sight. The most impressive call, however, was that of Mr. and Mrs. "C."
Dickens. The great man made it a point to dress in the style of bygone
years, and his conversation was a treat. His literary labors were
fatiguing and confining, he admitted, and the "little breath of rural
ozone" which this trip to Westchester County gave him, was like a
tonic--yes, as one might say, a tonic prescribed and administered by
Dame Nature herself.

"I formerly resided in the country," he told Caroline.

"Yes," put in his wife, "we used to live at Bayonne, New Jersey. We
had such a pretty house there, that is, half a house; you see it was a
double one, and--"

"Maria," her husband waved his hand, "why trouble our friends with
unnecessary details."

"But it _was_ a pretty house, 'C.,' dear," with a pathetic little sigh.
"I've missed it a great deal since, Miss Warren. 'C.' had a joke about
it--he's such a joker! He used to call it 'Gad's Hill, Junior.'"

"Named after some of David B.'s folks?" asked Captain Elisha innocently.
The answer, delivered by Mr. Dickens, was condescending and explanatory.

Caroline laughed, actually laughed aloud, when the visit was over. Her
uncle was immensely pleased.

"Hooray!" he cried. "I'll invite 'em up to stay a week. That's the fust
time I've heard you laugh for I don't know w