When the ladies took off their bonnets and rejoined their guests in the parlour, the pedestrians were much struck with their appearance and demeanour, especially in the case of Mrs. Carmichael, than whom no lady could have been more gentle mannered and gracious.  She had evidently had enough of Mr. Rawdon, for she turned in the most natural way to Wilkinson and engaged him in conversation on a variety of topics.  The schoolmaster found her a charming talker and an interested listener.  Marjorie and Coristine sat on a sofa with Muggins between them, while the working geologist banged about some photographs on a centre table.  At dinner, to which Mrs. Thomas soon summoned them, Coristine had the post of honour with Marjorie to his right.  Mrs. Carmichael sat at the foot of the table with Wilkinson by her side, and Rawdon was at Mrs. Thomas’ left.  While doing justice to an excellent repast, the lawyer informed his hostess that he was not an entire stranger to her family, and gave an account of his passage in the Susan Thomas from Belle Ewart to Barrie.  He also referred to Sylvanus and Timotheus, and dwelt upon the excellent service rendered by the latter.  The Grinstun man disliked the turn things were taking, as he felt himself out in the cold, for the widow absorbed the dominie, and Marjorie would not look at him.

When dessert came on the table, he turned to the schoolmaster and rudely interrupted his conversation, saying:  “Look ’ere, Mr. Favosites Wilkinsonia, I don’t see as you’ve hany call to keep hall the widder’s talk to yourself.  I move we change places,” and he rose to effect the change.

“Really,” said Wilkinson, with offended dignity, “I am not accustomed to anything of that description at a dinner party where there are ladies; but, if it’s Mrs. Carmichael’s desire that we should interchange seats, I am ready to comply.”

Mrs. Carmichael evidently did not relish being called “the widder,” nor the society of Mr. Rawdon, for she answered, “Certainly not, Mr. Wilkinson,” and resumed her conversation with him.  The baffled geologist turned to the hostess, while Marjorie engaged Coristine’s attention, and in a petulant way stated his case.  “You know the kind of man I ham, Mrs. Thomas, I’m a man of haction.  I strike wen the hiron’s ’ot.  By good luck, I went back to Peskiwanchow last night, though it is a beastly ‘ole, and got letters hat the post hoffice this mornin’.  My hagent, at Toronto says, Mrs. Do Please-us is pretty badly hout for want of chink, hand that the girl’s ready to jump hat hany reasonable hoffer.  Now, hall I say his, give a man a chance.  If she’s the stunner they say she his, I’ll marry her hinside of a week and make a lady of ’er, and hallow the hold ’ooman a pound a week, yes, I’ll go has ‘igh has thirty shillin’, that’s seven dollars and a ’arf.  You get me a hinvite or give me a hintroduction to your brother’s ’ouse in Flanders, and get the widder to back it hup with a good word to ’er