er since her mother has gone from one hysteric to another.
So, knowing nothing better to do, and maybe judging you by myself in my
own young days (for which I am sure I ask your pardon) I started out to
make sure that everything had been done decently and in order. Though as
sure as my name is Robert Anderson, I cannot think why you did not come
and wed the lass decently at home----"

We were at this point in our explanation, Amelia's ear was (doubtless)
close to the back of the door, and Birkenbog was relapsing into his
first belief, when I heard the key in the lock and the light foot of
Freddy in the passage.

It came as a huge relief, for here was my witness.

He entered, and, seeing the visitor, bowed and deposited his books in
the corner. He was for going out again, doubtless thinking that
Charlotte's father and I were at business together. So, indeed, we
were--but not such as I wished to keep anyways private between us. I
could not, with any self-respect, go on depending any longer on Amelia's
two-pronged fork.

So I said, "Freddy, bear me witness that I have not been out of the
house this week, except to go to the printer's with my work----"

"Fegs," cried a voice through the jar of the door, "there is no need for
Freddy to bear ye out in that. You have only to look at the carpet under
the legs of your chair. It has gotten a tairgin', as if all the hosts of
King Pharaoh had trampled over it down to the Red Sea!"

But I would not keep the old man any longer in suspense.

"I fear, Birkenbog," I said, "that you have given yourself a bootless
journey. From what I suspect, your flown bird will be nested nearer
home."

"Where?" he cried; "tell me the scoundrel's name."

"Fairly and soothly, Birkenbog," said I, "peace is best among near
friends--not to speak of kinsfolk!"

"Aye," said he, "fairly and soothly be it! But I have to ken first that
it is fairly and soothly. Who is the man?"

"I do not know for certain," I said, "but I have every reason to believe
that your daughter is at this moment Mistress Thomas Gallaberry of
Ewebuchts, on the Water of Ae!"

"Oh, the limmer," he cried, and started up as if to fly at me again. His
face was indeed a study. First there appeared the usual hot wrath,
overlapping in ruddy fold on fold, and revealing the owner's full-fed
intent to punish. This gradually gave way to a look of humorous
appreciation, and then all of a sudden, he slapped his thigh in an agony
of joyou