n a man locked up in York Castle might
have. In spite of all the weather, and the noise the sea makes, I feel
quite certain that important things, which never have any right to
happen in our parish, are going on here, and you never interfere; which
on the part of the rector, and the magistrate of the neighborhood, to
my mind is not a proper course of action. I am sure that I have not
the very smallest curiosity; I feel very often that I should have asked
questions, when it has become too late to do so, and when anybody else
would have put them at the moment, and not had to be sorry afterward."

"I understand that feeling," Dr. Upround answered, looking at his wife
for the third cup of coffee to wind up his breakfast as usual, "and
without hesitation I reply that it naturally arises in superior natures.
Janetta, you have eaten up that bit of broiled hake that I was keeping
for your dear mother!"

"Now really, papa, you are too crafty. You put my mother off with a
wretched generality, because you don't choose to tell her anything; and
to stop me from coming to the rescue, you attack me with a miserable
little personality. I perceive by your face, papa, every trick that
rises; and without hesitation I reply that they naturally arise in
inferior natures."

"Janetta, you never express yourself well." Mrs. Upround insisted upon
filial respect. "When I say 'well,' I mean--Well, well, well, you know
quite well what I mean, Janetta."

"To be sure, mamma, I always do. You always mean the very best meaning
in the world; but you are not up to half of papa's tricks yet."

"This is too bad!" cried the father, with a smile.

"A great deal too bad!" said the mother, with a frown. "I am sure I
would never have asked a word of anything, if I could ever have imagined
such behavior. Go away, Janetta, this very moment; your dear father
evidently wants to tell me something. Now, my dear, you were too sleepy
last night; but your peace of mind requires you to unburden itself at
once of all these very mysterious goings on."

"Well, perhaps I shall have no peace of mind unless I do," said the
rector, with a slight sarcasm, which missed her altogether; "only it
might save trouble, my dear, if you would first specify the points which
oppress your--or rather I should say, perhaps, my mind so much."

"In the first place, then," began Mrs. Upround, drawing nearer to the
doctor, "who is that highly distinguished stranger who can not get away