Floors rotten: ivy lining the walls.' 'Dear me!' 'Oh, that's nothing.

The congregation of a neighbour of mine, whenever a storm of rain comes on during service, open their umbrellas and hold them up till the dripping ceases from the roof.

Now, if you will kindly bring me those papers and letters you see lying on the table, I will show you how far we have got.' Stephen crossed the room to fetch them, and the vicar seemed to notice more particularly the slim figure of his visitor.
'I suppose you are quite competent ?' he said.
'Quite,' said the young man, colouring slightly.
'You are very young, I fancy--I should say you are not more than nineteen ?' I am nearly twenty-one.' 'Exactly half my age; I am forty-two.' 'By the way,' said Mr.Swancourt, after some conversation, 'you said your whole name was Stephen Fitzmaurice, and that your grandfather came originally from Caxbury.

Since I have been speaking, it has occurred to me that I know something of you.

You belong to a well-known ancient county family--not ordinary Smiths in the least.' 'I don't think we have any of their blood in our veins.' 'Nonsense! you must.