“Mrs. Foster,” I said, “are you in want?”

“I can always keep myself,” she answered, proudly; “I earned his living and my own, for months together.  Good-by, Martin Dobree.”

“Good-by,” I said.  She turned quickly from me round a corner near to us; and have not seen her again from that day to this.

Dr. Senior would not consent to part with Minima, even to Olivia.  She promises fair to take the reins of the household at a very early age, and to hold them with a tight hand.  Already Jack is under her authority, and yields to it with a very droll submission.  She is so old for her years, and he is so young for his, that—­who can tell?  Olivia predicts that Jack Senior will always be a bachelor.

THE END.