I should like to know what you call that, if it isn't spoons ?" "I think it would be kinder, Percy, if you did not talk to your cousin about me; and I fancy she would as soon you did not talk about her to me." "Well, that's rather what I should call a shut-up," said Percy.

"It bothers me how people that like one another get so precious shy of letting the other fellow know it.

I know I shan't.

I'll have it out at once, before any other chap comes and cuts me out." With which valiant determination Percy earned Jeffreys' gratitude by relapsing into silence.
He was, however, destined to have the uncomfortable topic revived in another and more unexpected quarter.
On the day before Scarfe's proposed visit, Walker accosted him as he was going out, with the announcement that my lady would like to speak to him in the morning-room.
This rare summons never failed to wring a groan from the depths of the librarian's spirit, and it did now as he proceeded to the torture- chamber.
The lady was alone, and evidently burdened with the importance of the occasion.
"Mr Jeffreys," said she, with a tone of half conciliation which put up Jeffreys' back far more than her usual severe drawl, "kindly take a seat; I wish to speak to you." "It's all up with me!" groaned the unhappy Jeffreys inwardly, as he obeyed.
Mrs Rimbolt gathered herself together, and began.
"I desire to speak to you, Mr Jeffreys, in reference to my niece, Miss Atherton, who, in her father's absence, is here under my protection and parental control." Jeffreys flushed up ominously.
"It does not please me, Mr Jeffreys, to find you, occupying, as you do, the position of a dependant in this house, so far forgetting yourself as to consider that there is anything in your respective positions which justifies you in having communications with Miss Atherton other than those of a respectful stranger." Jeffreys found himself frivolously thinking this elaborate sentence would be an interesting exercise in parsing for the head class at Galloway House.

He barely took in that the remarks were intended for him at all, and his abstracted look apparently disconcerted Mrs Rimbolt.
"I must request your attention, Mr Jeffreys," said she severely.
"I beg your pardon.