n our simple tastes.
We are (I confess it) to some degree--ahem!--mercantile, and as
citizens of Troy esteem it our duty to acquaint ourselves
(theoretically) with the products of other lands. To this end I have
had all my daughters carefully grounded in the 'Child's Guide to
Knowledge.' Jane, my dear, what is Gamboge?"

"A vegetable, gummy juice, of a most beautiful yellow colour, chiefly
brought from Gambodia in the East Indies," repeated Jane, with a
glance at her gown.

"You see, ma'am," explained her father with a wave of the hand,
"it is a form of instruction in which the rawness of the material is
to some extent veiled by a clothing of picturesque accessories.
This will be even more noticeable in the case of Soy. Calypso,
inform Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys of the humorous illusion under which our
seamen labour with regard to Soy."

But at this point the door opened, and Mr. Samuel Buzza entered, with
Mr. Goodwyn-Sandys himself.

The introductions were gone through; the Admiral let off another
speech of welcome, and plunged with the Honourable Frederic into a
long discussion of Troy, its scenery and neighbourhood; the three
girls sat bolt upright, each on the edge of her chair; and their
brother took his hostess' extended hand with a bashful grin.

"Ah, Mr. Buzza, I am interested in you already--my husband has been
telling me how he met you."

"Proud to hear it," muttered Sam.

"Oh, yes. I hope we shall be great friends. It is so kind of you
all to call."

Sam asked her not to mention it; and looked at his father, whose face
was by this time purple with conversation.

"I say, ain't the old boy enjoying himself, though!" he remarked in a
sudden burst of confidence. "What do you think of him?"

Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys smiled sweetly, and replied that the Admiral was
"so thorough."

"Thorough old duffer, you mean. Look at him. What with his gold
spangles and his talking to Mr. Goodwyn-Sandys, he's as proud as a
cock on a wall."

His hostess laughed. "You are very frank," she said.

"That's me all over," replied Sam, evidently pleased. "You see, I
ain't polite--not a ladies' man in any way."

"There I am sure you do yourself injustice."

"No, 'pon my word! I never had any practice."

"What, not among all the charming girls I saw in church yesterday?
Oh, Mr. Buzza, you mustn't tell me _that_." A look from the dark
eyes accompanied this sentence.

Now, very few young men of Sam's stamp greatly mi