nother."

"Mrs Fidler's an old impostor," said Uncle Richard--"there, I think
that is exactly in the axis--she gives more away to them than I do."

"Bread-and-cheese, uncle; but she says you always give money."

"Well, boy, it isn't Mrs Fidler's money. That must be exact."

_Bang, hang, hang_ at the gate, and then--

"Anybody at home?" came faintly.

"Why, it's Mr Maxted, uncle. May I go and speak to him?"

"Yes, you can let go now. Tell him to come up."

Tom left the telescope and went to the shutter, which he threw open, and
stepped out into the little gallery.

"Good-morning. Your uncle there?"

"Yes, sir. He says you are to come up."

"Come up?" said the Vicar, laughing. "I don't know. It was bad enough
on the ground-floor. I don't want to be shot out of the top. Is it
safe?"

"There's nothing to mind now, sir," cried Tom. "The door is open."

"Well, I think I'll risk it this time," said the Vicar, entering the
yard, while Tom stepped back into the observatory.

"What, is he pretending to be frightened?" said Uncle Richard, with a
grim smile.

"Yes, uncle; he wanted to know if it was safe."

By this time the Vicar's steps were heard upon the lower stairs, and Tom
lifted the trap-door, holding it open for their visitor, who, after the
usual greetings, sat down to admire the telescope.

"Hah! that begins to look business-like," he said. "We shall be soon
having a look I suppose. Finished?"

"Very nearly," said Uncle Richard. "It has been a long job."

"I wanted your advice about one of my difficulties," said the Vicar,
puckering up his face.

"Shall I go down and see to the glass for the new frames, uncle?"

"Oh, no, no, no," cried the Vicar. "I've nothing to say that you need
not hear. I've just come from old Mother Warboys' cottage."

"And how is the old witch?"

"Ah, poor, prejudiced old soul, much the same as ever. I'm afraid she
is beyond alteration, but her grandson was there."

"Humph! And he's beyond mending too," said Uncle Richard gravely.

"Ah, there's the rub," said the Vicar, crossing his legs, and clasping
his hands about the upper knee. "They are both of human flesh, but one
is young and green, the other old and dry. I can be satisfied that I am
helpless over the old woman, but I'm very uneasy about that boy."

"Halloo! He was not seriously hurt over the explosion?"

"Not a bit."

"But he thinks it was my doing to spite him, uncle, and he says he wil