She spoke as if she were condoling with me on the demise of a near relative.
I returned this by praising a new fuchsia with five pink bells and a golden coronal, which she had lately added to her collection; and, she then gave me the hint to which I have drawn attention.
"Ah! Mr Lorton," she said, after a pause, "life is very uncertain!" "Just so," I said, acquiescing in her truism, in order to keep up the conversation,--"but we cannot help that, you know, Lady Dasher." "No, indeed!" she sighed, rather than spoke.--"And that ought to make us more careful, especially on entering into life as you are now doing.

My poor dear papa used to say that every young man should insure; and I would recommend your taking out a `policy,' isn't that what they call it?
_He_ did not insure his life--poor dear papa did not require it; but he always advised every one else doing so!" "That's what most people do,"-- I said; still, I was thankful for the hint, and carried it into effect shortly afterwards.
While on the point of friendly congratulations and advice, I should not forget to mention, that Horner also had his fling at me, perpetrating what he considered a joke at my expense.
"Bai-ey Je-ove!" he said the very next Sunday when I met him outside the church after service.

"You aah one of aws, now, Lorton, hay ?" "Yes," I said.
"Aw then, my de-ah fellah, you mustn't chawff me any mo-ah, you know.
_Dawg don't eat dawg_, you know--ah, hay, Lorton!" And he chuckled considerably at his feeble wit.
Poor Horner!.