But I can't think whether he is a boy or a man.' 'It is to be earnestly hoped that the gentleman does not prevaricate,' said the minister, for the first time attracted by the subject.

'I accidentally met him in the lane, and he said something to me about having lived in Malta.

I think it was Malta, or Gibraltar--even if he did not say that he was born there.' 'His manners are no credit to his nationality,' observed Mrs.Goodman, also speaking publicly for the first time.

'He asked me this morning to send him out a pail of water for his process, and before I had turned away he began whistling.

I don't like whistlers.' 'Then it appears,' said Somerset, 'that he is a being of no age, no nationality, and no behaviour.' 'A complete negative,' added Havill, brightening into a civil sneer.
'That is, he would be, if he were not a maker of negatives well known in Markton.' 'Not well known, Mr.Havill,' answered Mrs.Goodman firmly.