said, looking
round him with a pleased smile.

It was not his fault, but "my John's" deafness, that caused him to hear
himself described as a "very decent man, who spoke as civil as a
gentleman; and it was awkward to find yourself in a strange place on a
Saturday night with nobody ready to put themselves about a bit to take
you in."

"John will yield in the long run," sighed the unwilling listener.
"Mrs. MacD. rules the roost, unless I'm greatly mistaken."

Apparently his conjecture was right, for in another minute the woman
reappeared to say that she and her husband were willing to let him have
the front bed and sitting-room if, after due inspection, they proved
good enough for him.

"We're not used to grand folk," she said, a trifle awed by the sight of
the portmanteau. "I cooked for a plain family before I married my
John, and----"

"Then it's certain that you can cook for me; I'm not nearly so much
trouble as a plain family," said her visitor, laughing. "I'll carry up
my things if you'll show me the way, for I shall go no further than
this to-night. I dare say you can give me some tea, and then I'll go
out and order in some food."

"I dare say you eat hearty, sir; or we've some fine new-laid eggs,"
suggested Mrs. Macdonald.

"The very thing. You can't get such a thing in London; the youngest
new-laid egg is about a month old, I fancy. Thank you," (with a glance
round the dimity-curtained room, fragrant with lavender); "I shall be
as happy as a king."

When her lodger was safely established at his evening meal, and Mrs.
Macdonald was satisfied that she could provide nothing more for his
comfort, she went upstairs to tidy his room, shaking her head a little
over the various things that littered the floor and table.

"He's not so tidy as my John, but he's not got his years over his
head," she said, as she closed the portmanteau and shoved it towards
the dressing-room table.

As she did so the name on the label caught her eye, she could not help
reading it; and then drew in her breath with a sharp exclamation of
surprise. The next instant she hurried softly but quickly down the
stairs, took her astonished helpmeet by the arm, and dragged him into
the orchard, closing the kitchen door behind her.

"John!" she said, "who do you think has come to us? Who is it that has
come quite humble like for shelter under our roof this night?"

In her eagerness to extract an answer she pinched the arm she held a