ill, he learnt
the names of his brothers and sisters before they came to do so
themselves.

Besides all this he was something of a young philosopher, for though his
brother Kasper tyrannized over him he put up with it all with an
unruffled temper. He was not, however, above playing tricks on the
others, and one day when Mr. Tebrick was by, he made believe that there
was a mouse in a hole some little way off. Very soon he was joined by
Sorel, and presently by Kasper and Esther. When he had got them all
digging, it was easy for him to slip away, and then he came to his
godfather with a sly look, sat down before him, and smiled and then
jerked his head over towards the others and smiled again and wrinkled
his brows so that Mr. Tebrick knew as well as if he had spoken that the
youngster was saying, "Have I not made fools of them all?"

He was the only one that was curious about Mr. Tebrick: he made him take
out his watch, put his ear to it, considered it and wrinkled up his
brows in perplexity. On the next visit it was the same thing. He must
see the watch again, and again think over it. But clever as he was,
little Selwyn could never understand it, and if his mother remembered
anything about watches it was a subject which she never attempted to
explain to her children.

One day Mr. Tebrick left the earth as usual and ran down the slope to
the road, when he was surprised to find a carriage waiting before his
house and a coachman walking about near his gate. Mr. Tebrick went in
and found that his visitor was waiting for him. It was his wife's uncle.

They shook hands, though the Rev. Canon Fox did not recognise him
immediately, and Mr. Tebrick led him into the house.

The clergyman looked about him a good deal, at the dirty and disorderly
rooms, and when Mr. Tebrick took him into the drawing room it was
evident that it had been unused for several months, the dust lay so
thickly on all the furniture.

After some conversation on indifferent topics Canon Fox said to him:

"I have called really to ask about my niece."

Mr. Tebrick was silent for some time and then said:

"She is quite happy now."

"Ah--indeed. I have heard she is not living with you any longer."

"No. She is not living with me. She is not far away. I see her every day
now."

"Indeed. Where does she live?"

"In the woods with her children. I ought to tell you that she has
changed her shape. She is a fox."

The Rev. Canon Fox got up; he was alarm