d.

"We're rather in a state of confusion here," said he, as he rang the
bell, "we only moved in this week. So you must take us as you find us."

We entered, and were ushered into a pleasant parlour, which appeared to
be the only completely furnished room at present.

"Is Mr Edward at home?" asked our host of the servant.

"Yes, sir, he's upstairs."

"Ask him to come down," said he, "and bring in supper."

He explained to us that Edward was his son, whom he would like us to
know.

"I'm often sorry for him," said the father; "he has no mother, and I am
too much occupied to be much with him. I wish he had some _good_
friends in London."

He emphasised the word "good," as much as to say that some of his son's
friends were not very desirable.

The servant brought in supper, and said that Master Edward would be down
presently.

Meanwhile our host chatted pleasantly, chiefly about his parish and his
plans for improving it. I could not help admiring him more and more as
he went on. He was not, to all appearance, a very clever man, but there
was an honest ring about all he said which made me feel that, had I only
known him in the months past I might have been spared many of my follies
and troubles.

At last there was a step in the hall outside, and the door opened. What
was our amazement and consternation when we beheld in Edward, the good
clergyman's son--Hawkesbury!

Our consternation, however, hardly exceeded his, on seeing who his
father's visitors were. And as for the clergyman himself, the sight of
our mutual astonishment fairly took him aback.

It was half a minute at least before any one could sufficiently recover
his surprise to speak. During the interval my great fear was how Smith
would act. I knew he detested Hawkesbury, and believed him to be a
hypocrite and a deceiver, and I knew too that he was rarely able to
contain himself when face to face with the fellow. How he would behave
now, a guest in the father's house, I could not imagine. Fool that I
was! I was always doubting my friend!

"Why, how is this," said Mr Hawkesbury, "you seem to know one another?"

"Yes," said I, "Hawkesbury here is at Merrett, Barnacle, and Company's
with Smith and me."

"How very curious!" said the clergyman; "and, to be sure, I neither knew
your names, nor you mine. Well, as you all know one another, I needn't
introduce you."

"Father," said Hawkesbury, standing still at the door, "I want to speak
to