Ah! ha! Yesterday I surprised her as she applied a kiss to him, at which he made as doleful a face as if a bee had stung him.

To-day I hear how she is boxing his ears.

He is perhaps now laughing at it, and thinks it is a rose-leaf which cools his cheek.

That Hodge is such a queer bird! But we will at once see what there is to-day, and what farce is being performed now." He crept softly up-stairs, and, opening the door of his room, closed it again behind him quickly and gently.

Gammer Gurton, who was in the room adjoining, had heard nothing, seen nothing; and had the heavens come tumbling down at that moment, she would have scarcely noticed it; for she had eyes and sense only for this long, lank lackey who stood before her shaking with fear, and staring at her out of his great bluish-white eyes.