My boy and girl are sure to be in directly.' 'I should like to make their acquaintance,' was the grave response.
'Alfred, my son,' the lady proceeded, 'is with us for his Easter holiday.

Belwick is so short a distance away, and yet too far to allow of his living here, unfortunately.' 'His age ?' 'Just one-and-twenty.' 'The same age as my own boy.' 'Oh, you have a son ?' 'A youngster, studying music in Germany.

I have just been spending a fortnight with him.' 'How delightful! If only poor Alfred could have pursued some more--more liberal occupation! Unhappily, we had small choice.

Friends were good enough to offer him exceptional advantages not long after his father's death, and I was only too glad to accept the opening.

I believe he is a clever boy; only such a dreadful Radical.' She laughed, with a deprecatory motion of the hands.