"Confound the fellow!" passed at the same time through his mind; "does he think I'm a chair or a table ?" "My mother ?" repeated the young man, looking up, and appearing somewhat surprised at the idea of his ever having possessed the article.

"Oh, yes! my father once told me she was dead.

It was long ago.

I'd almost forgotten it." "Told you she was dead, hey?
Humph! just what I expected!" growled the old gentleman, who seemed, however, to become additionally wrathful at the intelligence.

After a moment's scowl straight at his would-be pupil, he shuffled up to his chair, and sat solidly down in it.