I daresay they were sorry to see you in such a position." The captain's reply was of a nature known to Mrs.Kingdom and her circle as "snapping one's head off." He drew his chair to the table as Bella brought in the tray and, accepting a cup of tea, began to discuss with his daughter the events which had transpired in his absence.
"There is no news," interposed Mrs.Kingdom, during an interval.

"Mr.
Hall's aunt died the other day." "Never heard of her," said the captain.

"Neither had I, till then," said his sister.

"What a lot of people there are one never hears of, John." The captain stared at her offensively and went on with his meal.

A long silence ensued.
"I suppose you didn't get to hear of the cable that was sent ?" said Mrs.
Kingdom, making another effort to arouse interest.
"What cable ?" inquired her brother.
"The one Mr.Hardy sent to his father about you," replied Mrs.Kingdom.
The captain pushed his chair back and stared her full in the face.