When the smile broke forth every shutter was flung wide to the pouring sunlight, and every window full of flowers and laughing children.

Then instantly and without warning the house was blank, lifeless, and shuttered once more, leaving you helplessly apologetic that you had ever been guilty of the fatuity of associating anything but death and gloom with its appearance.
To young Mr.Dunn it was extremely disconcerting to discover himself smiling genially into a face of the severest gravity, and eyes that rebuked him for his untimely levity.

"Oh, I beg pardon," exclaimed Mr.
Dunn hastily, "I thought--" "Not at all, Sir," replied Mr.Rae.

"As I was saying, I have observed from time to time the distinctions you have achieved in the realm of athletics.

And that reminds me of my business with you to-day,--a sad business, a serious business, I fear." The solemn impressiveness of Mr.Rae's manner awakened in Mr.Dunn an awe amounting to dread.