daughter that’s Miss Do Please-us’s bosom friend, and I’ll give the capting the contrack to carry hall the grinstuns shipped to Lake Simcoe ports.”  Then, sinking his voice to a whisper, he continued, “I’ll do one better; I’ll show you ware there’s has fine a quarry of buildin’ stun hon your farm ’ere has can be got hanyware in Canidy.  Then, wot’s to ’inder your ’avin the best ’ouse twixt ’ere and Collinwood?” This last stroke of policy carried his point, and secured him the promise of an introduction, but Mrs. Thomas could not promise for her sister.  All the time, Coristine, who could not help overhearing, twisted his moustache fiercely, and, under his breath, called the geologist a contemptible and unspeakable little cad.

Shortly afterwards, much to Marjorie’s grief, the pedestrians put on their knapsacks and grasped their sticks for the road.  They warmly thanked their hostess and her accomplished sister for their kind hospitality, and for the exceedingly pleasant hours they had spent in their company.  They were cordially invited to call any time when they were near the village, and especially when the captain was at home, as he would never forgive himself for missing this treat.  Marjorie kissed her Eugene, telling him to be a good boy, and remember what he had promised her about “you know who.”  “Ullo young ’ooman,” said the Grinstun man, “you had ort to save one of them for yours haffectionately,” at which the small lady was so indignant that she threatened to box his ugly big ears.  “O Marjorie, how rude! whatever will these gentlemen from Toronto think!” Coristine could not bear to leave his little friend in disgrace, without a word of comfort, so he said:  “Pardon me, Mrs. Thomas, for saying that the rudeness did not originate with Marjorie,” for which the child gave him a grateful glance.  “You had better keep your dog in, Mr. Rawdon,” called out Wilkinson, “or he will be after us again.”  The little man ran down the garden walk to get a farewell kick at his property, but Muggins, foreseeing danger, ran out of the gate, which old Saul held open for him.  “You can keep the beastly cur, I don’t want ’im, hungrateful, treacherous, long legged, ’airy brute,” the last two adjectives being put in for Coristine’s benefit, as allusions to his height and his moustache.

“Come back, Mr. Wilkinson,” called Mrs. Carmichael.  The dominie returned, and had a large fragrant rose pinned by fair hands to his button hole, blushing violently all the time.  “You come back too, Eugene, but don’t let Muggy in or he’ll be kicked,” cried Marjorie, who, on her favourite’s return, gave him another parting salute and pinned two roses on his coat.  Muggins waited for them till they closed the gate finally behind them, lifted their hats three times, and began their afternoon’s journey.

“That Mrs. Carmichael,” remarked Wilkinson, “is one of the most intelligent and lady-like women I ever met, and she is wonderfully well read in the poets, Corry.”