d,' chimed in Mr Hinks.

They pursued the discussion as if they were an editorial committee
planning a review of which the first number was shortly to appear.
It occupied them until Mrs Yule announced at the door that supper was
ready.

During the meal Marian found herself the object of unusual attention;
her father troubled to inquire if the cut of cold beef he sent her was
to her taste, and kept an eye on her progress. Mr Hinks talked to her in
a tone of respectful sympathy, and Mr Quarmby was paternally jovial when
he addressed her. Mrs Yule would have kept silence, in her ordinary way,
but this evening her husband made several remarks which he had adapted
to her intellect, and even showed that a reply would be graciously
received.

Mother and daughter remained together when the men withdrew to their
tobacco and toddy. Neither made allusion to the wonderful change, but
they talked more light-heartedly than for a long time.

On the morrow Yule began by consulting Marian with regard to the
disposition of matter in an essay he was writing. What she said he
weighed carefully, and seemed to think that she had set his doubts at
rest.

'Poor old Hinks!' he said presently, with a sigh. 'Breaking up, isn't
he? He positively totters in his walk. I'm afraid he's the kind of
man to have a paralytic stroke; it wouldn't astonish me to hear at any
moment that he was lying helpless.'

'What ever would become of him in that case?'

'Goodness knows! One might ask the same of so many of us. What would
become of me, for instance, if I were incapable of work?'

Marian could make no reply.

'There's something I'll just mention to you,' he went on in a lowered
tone, 'though I don't wish you to take it too seriously. I'm beginning
to have a little trouble with my eyes.'

She looked at him, startled.

'With your eyes?'

'Nothing, I hope; but--well, I think I shall see an oculist. One doesn't
care to face a prospect of failing sight, perhaps of cataract, or
something of that kind; still, it's better to know the facts, I should
say.'

'By all means go to an oculist,' said Marian, earnestly.

'Don't disturb yourself about it. It may be nothing at all. But in any
case I must change my glasses.'

He rustled over some slips of manuscript, whilst Marian regarded him
anxiously.

'Now, I appeal to you, Marian,' he continued: 'could I possibly save
money out of an income that has never exceeded two hundred and fifty
pounds, and