fun of him and his female adorers all over the
world that he grew to laugh at them himself, and to value a pat on
the back and a hearty "Well done, Barty!" from his wife more than

"The blandishments of all the womankind
In Europe and America combined."

Gentle and kind and polite as she was, however, she could do battle
in defence of her great man, who was so backward at defending
himself; and very effective battle too.

As an instance among many, illustrating her method of warfare: Once
at an important house a very immense personage (who had an eye for a
pretty woman) had asked to be introduced to her and had taken her
down to supper; a very immense personage indeed, whose fame had
penetrated to the uttermost ends of the earth and deservedly made
his name a beloved household word wherever our tongue is spoken, so
that it was in every Englishman's mouth all over the world--as
Barty's is now.

Leah was immensely impressed, and treated his elderly Immensity to a
very full measure of the deference that was his due; and such open
homage is not always good for even the Immensest Immensities--it
sometimes makes them give themselves immense airs. So that this
particular Immensity began mildly but firmly to patronize Leah. This
she didn't mind on her own account, but when he said, quite
casually:

"By-the-way, I forget if I _know_ your good husband; _do_ I?"

--she was not pleased, and immediately answered:

"I really can't say; I don't think I ever heard him mention your
name!"

This was not absolutely veracious on Leah's part; for to Barty in
those days this particular great man was a god, and he was always
full of him. But it brought the immense one back to his bearings at
once, and he left off patronizing and was almost humble.

Anyhow, it was a lie so white that the recording angel will probably
delete what there is of it with a genial smile, and leave a little
blank in its place.

* * * * *

In an old diary of Leah's I find the following entry:

"March 6th, 1874.--Mamma and Ida Scatcherd came to stay. In the
evening our sixth daughter and eighth child was born."

Julia (Mrs. Mainwaring) was this favored person--and is still. Julia
and her predecessors have all lived and flourished up to now.

The Josselins had been exceptionally fortunate in their children;
each new specimen seemed an even finer specimen than the last. The
health of this remarkable family had be