couldn't help exposing 'em again summat. So now
thou knows the condeetions, Mary." The coat-tails by this time were
simply acting in an unheard-of manner, while Mr. Lawson's not very
stalwart back was strikingly erect--his whole manner, in brief, was
that of a man determined to bear the worst, should it come, as becomes
a man. As he was still looking over her head he did not see her look
of admiration as she stood and surveyed his warlike figure.

"The condeetions are--are extraordinary ones, Mr. Lawson." She lowered
her eyes so that he might not catch the light in them.

"Oh, are they indeed?"--the swing of the coat-tails was now nothing
less than phenomenal--"then, Miss Mary Tiffin," he continued, as
bravely as he could, throwing out his chin a little more as he
continued to look past her, "that means, I suppose, that thou doesn't
agree to the condeetions, and that thy answer again to me is No?"
Facing quickly about, he began to march independently to the door.

"Eh, lad, but thou does take me up so, not giving me a chance to
say--say--" She sank down distressfully on a chair.

The collapse of Mr. Lawson was amazingly sudden; his erect shoulders
fell, his chin lost its lofty altitude; and facing suddenly about, his
glasses all awry, he hurried to Mary's side, and taking her hands from
her face began a most treacherous tirade against himself, his
master--yea, and even men in general--for their shameful treatment of
the weaker sex. Presently his voice grew very low, and then their
heads got dangerously close together. When at last they arose, after
an eloquent pause, John's spectacles were lying forlornly on the
floor, his coat-tails once more were hanging in peace and quietness,
his arm was around her, and he had the audacity to waggishly inform
her that they were the best "condeetions" that he had made in his
whole forty-five years of life.

Suddenly remembering her mistress's troubles, the happy light died out
of Mary's face, and turning anxiously to her now contented lover she
said eagerly, "And now, lad, do try and think o' something to help
them. If nothing else can be done, there is the train; if it is missed
there will be so much more time."

"Nay, lass," John answered, as he sat down, "the train scheme is no
good; for I'm sure the missus would, as she has threatened, leave the
house if he didn't go to-night."

Picking up his glasses and slowly polishing them, John continued
ruminatingly, "Like thee, Ma