he'll recollect you, you know."

"I do not think," said Miss Stringer, with a very ruffled countenance,
"that your grandfather and I ever met."

"Oh, I don't know. He recollects most of the old people down here, you
know. I say, there's Parson beckoning; he's my chum, you know. I
expect he wants me to help with some of the things."

And so saying off he went, leaving Miss Stringer, so to speak, fairly
doubled up, and in a state of mind which may be more easily imagined
than described.

Every one observed how singularly silent and retiring Miss Stringer was
all that evening. Some attributed it to the heat of the room, others
feared she might not be well, others guessed she found the Browns'
entertainment very slow; but no one, least of all Telson himself, had a
suspicion of the true reason.

That young gentleman and his ally, after finding out that there was not
much chance of their services being required to "look after the
things"--the greengrocer being quite able to deal with the business
single-handed--found themselves once more stranded in the drawing-room,
and gradually getting edged back by the skirts, when an unlooked-for
distinction rescued them from their perilous situation.

The distinction was none other than a sign of recognition from the
doctor and a friendly signal to approach.

Like a pair of small well-trained circus ponies the two friends obeyed
the summons and climbed over the intervening skirts.

"Well, Telson and Parson," said the doctor, shaking hands, "I'd no idea
you were here--how are you?"

"We got a captain's permit. Quite well, thank you, sir."

"My dear, these are two of our boys, Telson and Parson."

Mrs Patrick regarded the two boys in her usual precise way, and said,--

"Among so many boys under our roof, I find it impossible to remember
every face. And which is Master Telson?"

"This is Telson," said Parson. "He's in the schoolhouse, you know--"

"I do not know," said Mrs Patrick, severely.

"Don't you?" said Parson, with genuine astonishment. "He's captain's
fag, you know."

"I must repeat I do not know," reiterated Mrs Patrick.

"Oh, well, he's only been that a little time, since the sports, you
know, when old Wyndham left. I say, ma'am, are you going to be at the
race on Wednesday?"

Mrs Patrick looked somewhat baffled as she replied,--

"I think it very possible."

"It'll be a jolly good race," said Telson. "Old Parson is coxing
Parrett's, and it loo