unk in 'er, Polly. She got so mopey the last year or two,
there was no doing anything with 'er. Now it was just the other way
round with me. No matter how black things looked, I always kept my
pecker up. Poor ma used to say I grew more like her, every day."

And at a still later date: "No, Polly, my dear, I wouldn't change
places with the future Mrs. T. after all, thank you--not for Joseph! I
SAY! she'll need to mind her p's and q's." For Tilly had listened to
John explaining to Jinny what he expected of her, what she might and
might not do; and had watched Jinny sitting meekly by and saying yes to
everything.

There was nothing in the way of the marriage; indeed, did it not take
place immediately, Jinny would have to look about her for a situation
of some kind; and, said John, that was nothing for HIS wife. His house
stood empty; he was very much in love; and pressed for the naming of
the day. So it was decided that Polly should accompany Jinny to
lodgings in Melbourne, help her choose her trousseau and engage
servants. Afterwards there would be a quiet wedding--by reason of
Jinny's mourning--at which Richard, if he could possibly contrive to
leave his patients, would give the bride away. Polly was to remain in
John's house while the happy couple were on honeymoon, to look after
the servants. This arrangement would also make the break less hard for
the child. Trotty was still blissfully unconscious of what had befallen
her. She had learnt to say "new mamma" parrot-wise, without
understanding what the words meant. And meanwhile, the fact that she
was to go with her aunt for a long, exciting coach-ride filled her
childish cup with happiness. As Polly packed the little clothes, she
thought of the night, six years before, when the fat, sleeping babe had
been laid in her arms.

"Of course it's only natural John should want his family round him
again. But I SHALL miss the dear little soul," she said to her husband
who stood watching her.

"What you need is a little one of your own, wife."

"Ah, don't I wish I had!" said Polly, and drew a sigh. "That would make
up for everything. Still if it can't be, it can't."

A few days before the set time John received an urgent summons to
Melbourne, and went on ahead, leaving Mahony suspecting him of a dodge
to avoid travelling EN FAMILLE. In order that his bride-elect should
not be put to inconvenience, John hired four seats for the three of
them; but: "He might just as well hav