aged them--to those who now witnessed it. They looked
out on the garden scene silently for some little time. Mrs. Joyce was
the first to speak again.

"Would it be asking too much of you, Mrs. Peckover," said she, "to
inquire how the poor little thing really met with the accident that
caused her misfortune? I know there is an account of it in the bills of
the circus but--"

"It's the most infamous thing I ever read!" interrupted Mr. Blyth
indignantly. "The man who wrote it ought to be put in the pillory.
I never remember wanting to throw a rotten egg at any of my
fellow-creatures before; but I feel certain that I should enjoy having a
shy at Mr. Jubber!"

"Gently, Valentine--gently," interposed the rector. "I think, my love,"
he continued, turning to Mrs. Joyce, "that it is hardly considerate to
Mrs. Peckover to expect her to comply with your request. She has already
sacrificed herself once to our curiosity; and, really, to ask her now
to recur a second time to recollections which I am sure must distress
her--"

"It's worse than distressing, indeed, sir, even to think of that
dreadful accident," said Mrs. Peckover, "and specially as I can't help
taking some blame to myself for it. But if the lady wishes to know how
it happened, I'm sure I'm agreeable to tell her. People in our way of
life, ma'am--as I've often heard Peggy Burke say--are obliged to dry
the tear at their eyes long before it's gone from their hearts. But pray
don't think, sir, I mean that now about myself and in your company. If I
_do_ feel low at talking of little Mary's misfortune, I can take a look
out into the garden there, and see how happy she is--and that's safe to
set me right again."

"I ought to tell you first, sir," proceeded the clown's wife, after
waiting thoughtfully for a moment or two before she spoke again, "that I
got on much better with little Mary than ever I thought I should for the
first six years of her life. She grew up so pretty that gentlefolks was
always noticing her, and asking about her; and nearly in every place the
circus went to they made her presents, which helped nicely in her keep
and clothing. And our own people, too, petted her and were fond of her.
All those six years we got on as pleasantly as could be. It was not till
she was near her seventh birthday that I was wicked and foolish enough
to consent to her being shown in the performances.

"I was sorely tried and tempted before I did consent. Jubber first
said