'Which of 'em I wonder--Mrs or Miss ?' The locksmith settled the doubt as neatly as if it had been expressed aloud, by leading him to the door, and saying, 'Martha, my dear, here's young Mr Willet.' Now, Mrs Varden, regarding the Maypole as a sort of human mantrap, or decoy for husbands; viewing its proprietor, and all who aided and abetted him, in the light of so many poachers among Christian men; and believing, moreover, that the publicans coupled with sinners in Holy Writ were veritable licensed victuallers; was far from being favourably disposed towards her visitor.

Wherefore she was taken faint directly; and being duly presented with the crocuses and snowdrops, divined on further consideration that they were the occasion of the languor which had seized upon her spirits.

'I'm afraid I couldn't bear the room another minute,' said the good lady, 'if they remained here.

WOULD you excuse my putting them out of window ?' Joe begged she wouldn't mention it on any account, and smiled feebly as he saw them deposited on the sill outside.

If anybody could have known the pains he had taken to make up that despised and misused bunch of flowers!-- 'I feel it quite a relief to get rid of them, I assure you,' said Mrs Varden.