said I, as I threw myself on to
a double arm-chair, and lighted my cigar in the inner verandah.

"Yes, yes," said he; "it is pretty comfortable."

He was evidently melancholy, and knew the purpose for which I had
come. "I don't suppose any girl in the old country was ever better
provided for than will be Eva." This I said wishing to comfort him,
and at the same time to prepare for what was to be said.

"Eva is a good girl,--a dear girl. But I am not at all so sure about
that young fellow Abraham Grundle. It's a pity, President, your son
had not been born a few years sooner." At this moment my boy was half
a head taller than young Grundle, and a much better specimen of a
Britannulist. "But it is too late now, I suppose, to talk of that. It
seems to me that Jack never even thinks of looking at Eva."

This was a view of the case which certainly was strange to me, and
seemed to indicate that Crasweller was gradually becoming fit for
the college. If he could not see that Jack was madly in love with
Eva, he could see nothing at all. But I had not come out to Little
Christchurch at the present moment to talk to him about the love
matters of the two children. I was intent on something of infinitely
greater importance. "Crasweller," said I, "you and I have always
agreed to the letter on this great matter of the Fixed Period."
He looked into my face with supplicating, weak eyes, but he said
nothing. "Your period now will soon have been reached, and I think
it well that we, as dear loving friends, should learn to discuss the
matter closely as it draws nearer. I do not think that it becomes
either of us to be afraid of it."

"That's all very well for you," he replied. "I am your senior."

"Ten years, I believe."

"About nine, I think."

This might have come from a mistake of his as to my exact age; and
though I was surprised at the error, I did not notice it on this
occasion. "You have no objection to the law as it stands now?" I
said.

"It might have been seventy."

"That has all been discussed fully, and you have given your assent.
Look round on the men whom you can remember, and tell me, on how many
of them life has not sat as a burden at seventy years of age?"

"Men are so different," said he. "As far as one can judge of his own
capacities, I was never better able to manage my business than I am
at present. It is more than I can say for that young fellow Grundle,
who is so anxious to step into my shoes."

"My d