AsthedooropenedtheProphetfoundhimselfinalargeapartmentwhosewallsweredecoratedwiththeeffortsofthosegreatpainterswhofeedthesentimentalimaginationsofthemassesinthebeautifulChristmasnumbersofourartisticday。Enchantinglittlegirlsandexceedinglyhumandogsobservedhisentrancefromeveryhand，whilesuchpenetratingandsuggestivelegendsas"Don’tbite！""Mustn’t！"
　　"Naughty！""Would’ums？"andthelike，filledhismindwiththeloftythoughtssosuitabletotheChristmasseason。Overthemantelpiecewasa/Cook’sAlmanacfortheHome/，decoratedinbrightcolours，a/Butler’sownbook/，boundinclaret—colouredlinen，andalargeframedphotographofFrancatelli，thatimmortal/chef/whosememoryiskeptgreeninsomanykitchens，andwhoserecipesarestillfollowedasarefollowedthefootprintsofthegreatonesintheEverlastingSandsofTime。OnecorneroftheroomGustavushadmadehisown，andheremightbeseenhistastefulwhat—notandhislittlelibrary——neatlyarrangedunabridgedfarthingeditionsofDrummond’s/AscentofMan/，Mill’s/Liberty/，Crampton’s/OriginofSelf—Respect/，Barlow’s/A
　　PhilosophicalExaminationintotheArtandPracticeofTippingandReceivingTips/，andothervolumessuitableforanintellectualfootman’sreading。Aneight—dayclock，whichwascarefullyandlovinglywoundupbytheprudentMrs。FancyQuingleteverymorningandevening，snoredpeacefullyinarecessbythehearth，and，fromacrevicenearthewindow，thebright，intelligenteyesofacoupleofwell—developedblack—beetles——motherandson——contentedlysurveyedthecheerfulscene。
　　TheProphet，afteramoment’spauseofcontemplation，passedonthroughaswingdoor，coveredwithgreenbaize，anddownsomestairstotheinnercourtsofthisinterestingregion。Thistimehecametoanchorinaroomwhich，hethought，mightwellhavebeenabutler’spantryhaditcontainedalarge—sizedtelescope。Itwasinfacttheparloursetapartfortheuseofthekitchenandscullerymaids，andwasbrightlyfittedupwithadresser，acupboardforskewers，arolling—pin，abastingmachine，andothersimilaradjuncts。Itgaveontothekitchen，inwhichthecatofthehousewasenjoyingwell—earnedslumberintheattitudeofablackball。SofarhisexploringtourhadquitefulfilledtherathervagueexpectationsoftheProphet，buthenowbegantofeelanxious。Timewaspassingonandhehadsworntobeatthetelescopebyelevensharp。Hehad，therefore，alreadyslightlyfracturedhisoath，andhehadnodesiretoearntheanathemaofallsuchmenasRobertGreenbybreakingitintosmallpieces。Wherewasthebutler’spantry？
　　Heglancedeagerlyroundthekitchen，perceivedadoor，passedthroughit，andfoundhimselfconfrontedbyasink。Hehadgainedthescullery，butnothisgoal。TotherightofthesinkwasyetanotherdoorthroughwhichtheProphet，whocarriedtheplanisphereinonehand，theGeorgetheThirdcandlestickintheother，ratherexcitedlydebouchedintoagood—sizedpassage。Ashedidsoheheardthemuffledaltovoiceoftheeight—dayclockproclaimthatitwasaquarter—pasteleven。Feelingthathewasnowuponthepointofbreakingboththepromisesofthedamnedfool，theProphethastenedalongthepassage，dartedthroughthefirstoutlet，andfoundhimselfabruptlyfacetobackwithwhatappearedatfirstglancetobeanenormouslybroadandbow—leggeddwarf，withabaldheadandablacktailcoat，which，inanattitudeofsavagecuriosity，wasgazingthroughagiganticinstrument，whosemuzzleprojectedfromanopenwindowintoaspaciousarea。SogreatwastheProphet’ssurprise，sosupremetheshocktohiswholenervoussystemoccasionedbythisunexpectedencounter，thathedidnotutteracry。Hisamazementcarriedhimintothatterribleregionwhichliesbeyondtherealmsofspeech。Hesimplystoodquitestillandgazedatthebow—leggeddwarf，which，initsturn，continuedtogazesavagelythroughthegiganticinstrumentintothearea。NotforperhapsthreeorfourminutesdidtheProphetrealisethatthisdwarfwasmerelyaningeniouslyshortenedformofMr。Ferdinand，who，withhislegsverywideapart，andmakingtwoaccuraterightanglesattheirrespectiveknee—joints，hisheadthrownwellback，andhisarmsarrangedintwoperfectcapitalV’s，withtheelbowspointingdirectlyatthewallsoneithersideofhim，hadbeenbusilyengagedforthelasthourandaquarterintryingtofocusfirstlytheLordChancellor’shouseontheoppositesideofthesquare，andsecondlythepleasant—lookingsecond—
　　cookinit。Thathischivalrouseffortshadnotyetbeencrownedwithcompletesuccesswillbeunderstoodwhenwesaythathehadseenduringhisfirsthalf—hourofcontemplationnothingatall，duringhissecondhalf—hourtheleft—handtopstaroftheGreatBear，andfinallythefourthspikefromtheendoftheironrailingwhichenclosedthesquaregarden，atwhichhehadbeengazingcloselyforpreciselyfifteenminutesandahalfwhentheProphetdartedintothepantry。
　　HavingatlengthrecoveredfromhisshockofsurprisesufficientlytorealisethattheenormousandimmobiledwarfwasMr。Ferdinand，andthatMr。Ferdinandwasnotyetawareofhispresence，theProphetresolvedtobeatarapidandnoiselessretreat。Hecarriedthisresolveintoexecutionbyturningsharplyround，knockinghisheadagainstaplatechest，firingtheGeorgetheThirdcandlestickintothepassage，andlettingtheplanispheregointothechinajarof"Butler’sownspecialpomade"whichMr。Ferdinandkeptalwaysopenforuseuponthepantrytable。
　　TosaythatMr。FerdinandceasedfromlookingthroughthetelescopefortheLordChancellor’ssecond—cookatthisjuncturewould，perhaps，notconveyquiteafairideaoftheactivitywhichhecouldonoccasiondisplayevenathissomewhatadvancedage。Itmightbemorejusttostatethat，withoutwastinganyprecioustimeinuselesselongation，hedescribedanexceedinglyrapidcircularmovement，stillpreservingtheshortenedformofhimselfwhichhadsodeceivedandstartledhismaster，andbroughthiseyefromtheorificeofthetelescopetoalevelwiththeProphet’skneesexactlyatthemomentwhentheProphetreboundedfromtheplatechestintothecentreoftheapartment。
　　"Oh，isityou，Mr。Ferdinand？"saidtheProphet，controllingeverysymptomofanguish，withtheexceptionofarapidflutteroftheeyelids。"Iwaslookingfor——forabradawl。"
　　TheProphet’schoiceofthisusefullittleimplementasthereasonforhispresenceinMr。Ferdinand’sspecialsanctumwaspromptedbythefactthat，justashewasspeaking，hehappenedtoseeabradawllyinguponaneighbouringknifecupboardinthecompanyofacorkscrew。
　　"Andhere，Isee，isjustwhatIwant，"headdedcalmly。
　　Sofarhehaddisplayedextraordinarycomposure，butatthispointhemadeaslightmistake，forhepickedupthecorkscrewandsaunteredquietlyawaywithitintothedarkness，leavingMr。FerdinandstillintheattitudeofaTobyjug，theplanispherestillheaddownwardsinthebutler’sownspecialpomade，andtheGeorgetheThirdcandlestickstretchedatfulllengthuponthepassagefloor。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEPROPHETANDMALKIELTHESECONDCONVERSEBYTELEGRAM
　　"HennesseyVivian，1000BerkeleySquare，W。
　　"Pleasewireresultoflastnight’sobservationsfromeleventillthreeinclusive。——Sagittarius。"
　　"JupiterSagittarius，SagittariusLodge，CramptonSt。Peter，N。
　　"Impossiblewireresult，willwriteatlengthaftertakingfurtherobservationsto—night。——Vivian。"
　　"Certainlywriteatlength，butmeanwhilewireallimportantresultsincondensedform。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Resultsnotsufficientlyimportanttowire，letterwithoutfailto—morrow。——Vivian。"
　　"Nevermindunimportance，wirewhateverresultsobtained。——
　　Sagittarius。"
　　"Onconsiderationthinkresultstooimportanttowire，willexplainbyletter。——Vivian。"
　　"Yoursecondandthirdwiresindirectcontradiction；kindlyreconcileopposingstatements。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Cannotreconcilebywire，willdosobyletter。——Vivian。"
　　"Thenmeanwhilerequestforecastofgrandmothersofarasgatheredlastnight。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Quiteimpossiblediscussgrandmotherbywire。——Vivian。"
　　"Notatall；couchincarefulterms，shallunderstand；noneedputgrandmother’sname。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Quiteimpossible；grandmothertoosacredfortreatmentbywire，longandfullletterto—morrow。——Vivian。"
　　"Absurd！CallherHarryandwireherfutureasobtainedlastnight；
　　shallunderstand。——Sagittarius。"
　　"CannotpossiblyconsentcallgrandmotherHarry；praycease；
　　successionoftelegraphboystohouseattractinggeneralattentioninsquare。——Vivian。"
　　"Mustinsist；thencallherSusanandwire。——Sagittarius。"
　　"CannotpossiblyconsenttocallherSusan；discussionofsuchmatterbywirenotdecent；regretmustabsolutelydecline。
　　——Vivian。"
　　"Madameandselfinsultedbyaccusationnotdecent；demandexplanationandapology。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Regret；nodesiregivepaintolady，butthismustcease；
　　grandmotherandsquareseriouslyupsetbyprocessionoftelegraphboys。——Vivian。"
　　"Cannothelpsquareandgrandmother；musthavelastnight’sresulttocomparewithownobservationofgrandmotherwithcrabandscorpion。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Praycease；wouldratherdiethandiscussgrandmotherwithcrabandscorpionbywire。——Vivian。"
　　"Rubbish！CallcrabSusan，scorpionJane，grandmotherHarry，andwire；absolutelyinsist。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Absolutelydeclinediscusscrab，scorpionandgrandmotherbywire；
　　final。——Vivian。
　　"Scandalous！notbehaviourofgentleman；Madamecuttoheart；
　　infamous。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Materfamiliarispallidibusira。——MadameSagittarius。"
　　"Ifreceivenoreplyastograndmotherandcrab，etcetera，shallstartatonceforSquare。——JupiterandMadameSagittarius。"
　　"Onnoaccounttroublecomeup；goingoutimmediately；importantengagement。——Vivian。"
　　"Madameputtingonboots。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Utterlyuselessputonboots；leavinghouse。——Vivian。"
　　"Madamebootson；tyingbonnet。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Totallyuselesstiebonnet；absolutelyforcedleavehouse。
　　——Vivian。"
　　"Madameinpelisse；shallcomeinwaittillyourreturn。
　　——Sagittarius。"
　　"Regretpelisse；quiteuseless；outtilllateevening。——Vivian。"
　　"Shallstaytillwhateverhour；haveonhatandbonnetnow；
　　starting。——JupiterandMadameSagittarius。"
　　"ForHeaven’ssakedon’t；willwirewhateveryouwish。——Vivian。"
　　"Don’t。Anklesperhapscatching；dangerousCapricornus。——Vivian。"
　　"Haveyoustarted？——Vivian。"
　　"Havenotstarted，butatthresholdofdoor；wirefullexplanationofcrabwithgrandmother，etcetera，lastnightorshallstartinstanter。——JupiterandMadameSagittarius。"
　　"Truthisverylittleresultlastnight；didnotseecrabwithgrandmother；deeplyregret。——Vivian。"
　　"Thenwireresultofscorpionwithgrandmother。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Verysorrydidnotseescorpionwithgrandmother。——Vivian。"
　　"Impossible；believestarsout；clearsky；selfandMadamedistinctlyobservedcrabandscorpionwithgrandmotherforfourhours。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Onhonourdidnotseecrab，scorpionorgrandmother。——Vivian。"
　　"Thenhasgrandmotherpassedover？——Sagittarius。"
　　"Certainlynot，butnoresult；prayceasediscussion，grandmotherandsquaredistractedbyincessantuproarofboysatdoor。
　　——Vivian。"
　　"Leavinghouse；withyouassoonaspossible。——JupiterandMadameSagittarius。"
　　"Heaven’ssakedon’t；telltruth；didnotlookthroughtelescopeatalllastnight。——Vivian。"
　　"Whatmeaningofthissworeoathbroken；nogentleman；comingatonceforexplanation。——JupiterandMadameSagittarius。"
　　"Stop；sendingboymessengerwithfullexplanation；severeaccidentlastnight，injuredhead，sounablelookforcrab，grandmotherandscorpion。——Vivian。"
　　"Astounded，upset，Madamesaysnotconductgentleman；mighthaveseencrab，grandmotherandscorpionwithinjuredhead；mereexcuse——caputmortuusdecrepitumcancer。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Prayexcuse；lookto—nightwithoutfail；Heaven’ssakeceasewriting；grandmotherandwholesquareamazement，confusion；shallgomadifcontinues。——Vivian。"
　　"Verywell，butinsistonfullletter；confidenceinoathmuchshaken；wiresmostshifty；grossneglectofcrab，grandmotherandscorpion。——Sagittarius。"
　　"Homomiserumsedmagnumestveritatusetpraevalebetur。——MadameSagittarius。"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　MISSMINERVAOPENSHERBOOKOFREVELATIONINACAB
　　"AssuretheLordChancellorthatthelastboyhasbeenandgone——goneaway，thatis，Mr。Ferdinand，andthatIpledgemysacredwordnottohaveanothertelegramto—day。"
　　"Yes，sir。Hislordshipdesiredthatyoushouldbeinformedthat，accordingtothelawregulatingpublicabominationsandintolerablestreetnoises，youwasliableto——"
　　"Iknow，Iknow。"
　　"Andthat，bytheActdealingwithgrossoffencesagainstthepublicorderandscandalouscrimesagainstthepeaceofmetropolitancommunities，youwasamenable——"
　　"Exactly。Gotohislordshipandswear——"
　　"Icouldn’tdothatsosoonagain，sir，really。Isworeonlyasshortagoasyesterday，sir，byyourexpressorder，but——"
　　"Imeanasseveratetohislordshipthattheverylastboyhasknockedfortheverylasttime。"
　　"Itwasn’tsomuchtheknocking，sir，hislordshipcomplainedof，astheboyscomingtothedoormeetingtheboysgoingawayfromit，andblockingupthepavement，sir，sothatnoonecouldgetpastand——"
　　"Yes，yes。Goandasseverateatonce，Mr。Ferdinand。"
　　"Verywell，sir。AndHerGrace，theDuchessofCamberwell，whoispassingfromonefittoanother，sir，fromfrightattheuproarandtelegramsgoingtothewronghouse，sir？"
　　"ImploreHerGracetohavecourageandtotrustmeasagentlemanwhenIpromisesolemnlythattheknockingshallnotberenewed。"
　　"Verywell，sir。"
　　"Mr。Ferdinand！"
　　"Sir？"
　　"Havetheknockersswathedincotton—woolatonce。"
　　"Yes，sir，"
　　"And——fixabulletinonthedoor。Wait！I’llwriteit。"
　　TheProphethastenedtohiswritingtableand，withahandthattrembledviolently，wroteonacardasfollows：——
　　"Ownerofthishouseseriouslyill，praydonotknockor/death/shallcertainlyensue。"
　　"There！Poorgranniewillhavepeacenow。Nailthatup，Mr。Ferdinand，underthecotton—wool。"
　　"Verywell，sir。Mrs。Merillia，sir，wouldbegladtospeaktoyouforamoment。YourememberIinformedyou？"
　　"I’llgotoheratonce。Butfirstbringmeaglassofbrandy，Mr。
　　Ferdinand。I’mfeelingextremelyunwell。"
　　AndtheProphet，whowaspalerfarthanashes，andbeadedfromtoptotoewithperspiration，sankdownfeeblyuponachairandlethisheaddropontheblotting—padthatlayonhiswriting—table。
　　Whenhehadswallowedaninchortwoofcognachegotup，pulledhimselftogetherwithbothhands，andwalked，likeanelderlypersonafflictedwithincipientlocomotorataxy，upstairsintothedrawing—
　　roomwhereMrs。Merilliawaslyingonasofa，ministeredtobyFancyQuinglet，who，atthemomentofhisentrance，wasbusilyengagedinstuffingalargewadofcotton—woolintotherightearofherbelovedmistress。
　　"Leaveusplease，Fancy，"saidMrs。Merillia，inavoicethatsoundedmucholderthanusual。"Andasyourheadissobad，too，youhadbetterliedown。"
　　"Thankyou，ma’am。IfIkeepupright，ma’am，Ifeelmyheadwillsplitasunder。Ican’tspeakdifferentnorfeelother。"
　　"Thendon’tbeupright。"
　　"No，ma’am。Themthatfeelsother，letthemdeclareit！"andMrs。Fancyretired，holdingbothhandstohertemples，andutteringverydistinctlysundrystifledmoans。
　　Mrs。MerilliamotionedtheProphettoachair，and，afterlyingquitestillforaboutfiveminuteswithhereyestightlyshut，saidinaweaktoneofvoice，——
　　"Howmanymoretelegramsdoyouexpect，Hennessey？Youhavehadtwenty—
　　sevenwithinthelastthreehours。Canyougivemearoughgeneralideaoftheaveragenumberyouanticipatewillprobablyarriveeveryhourfromnowtilltheofficesclose？"
　　"Grannie，grannie，forgiveme！Iassureyou——"
　　"Don’tbeafraidtotellme，Hennessey。Itismuchbettertoknowtheworst，andfactitbravely。Willthepresentaveragebemerelysustained，ordoyouexpectthequantitytoincreasetowardsnight？
　　becauseifso——"
　　"Grannie，therewillbenomore。IsweartoyousolemnlythatIwillnothaveanothertelegramto—day。Iwillnotuponmysacredhonour。
　　Nothing——notwildhorseseven——shallinduceme。"
　　"Horses！Thenweretheyracingtips，Hennessey？Yes，givemethe/eaudeCologne/andfanmegently。Weretheyracingtips？"
　　"Oh，grannie，howcouldyousuppose——"
　　AtthismomentMr。FerdinandenteredsoftlyandwentuptoMrs。
　　Merillia。
　　"Mr。Q。ElishaHubsbee，ma’am。Heisdeeplydistressedandasksfornews……"
　　"TheCentralAmericanAmbassador’sgrandfather，"saidMrs。Merillia，readingthecardwhichMr。Ferdinandhandedtoher。
　　"Shockedtohearyouaresoillthataknockwillfinishyou。Guessyoumustbefargone。Earnestsympathy。Haveyoutriedpatentmorphiamolasses？
　　Q。E。H。"
　　"Ah！howthingsgetabout！TellMr。ElishaHubsbeetheknockshavenearlykilledusall，Mr。Ferdinand，butwearebearingupaswellascanbeexpected。Ifnecessarywewillcertainlytrythemolasses。"
　　"Yes，ma’am。"
　　"Itistwoo’clocknow，Hennessey。TheCharingCrossofficeisopentillmidnight，Ibelieve，soatthepresentrateyoushouldonlyhaveaboutninetymoretelegramsto—day。Butifyouhavereasontoexpect——"
　　Mr。Ferdinandre—entered。
　　"Mrs。HendrickMarshallhascalled，ma’am。Shedesiredmetosayshewaspassingthedoorandwasmuchhorrifiedtofindthatyouaresonearthepoint，ma’am。"
　　"Whatpoint，Mr。Ferdinand？"
　　"Ofdeath，ma’am。Shehadnoideaatall，ma’am。"
　　"Oh，thankMrs。HendrickMarshall，Mr。Ferdinand，andsayweshalltrytokeepfromthepointforthepresent。
　　"Yes，ma’am。"
　　"——Thatthenumberswillgoupastheafternoondrawson，Hennessey——"
　　"Grannie，haven’tIsworn，andhaveyoueverknownmetotellyoua——"
　　SuddenlytheProphetstoppedshort，thinkinghowthatverynighthewouldbeforcedbyhisoathto"Madameandself"tobreakhispromisetohisgrandmother，howalreadyitwouldhavebeenbrokenhadnotMr。
　　Ferdinandonthepreviousnightbeeninpossessionofthetelescope。
　　"TheChancelloroftheExchequer，ma’am，desireshiscompliments，andhebegsyoutolastout，ifpossible，tillhehasfetchedSirWilliamBroadbenttoseeyou。Heisgoingthereonhisbike，ma’am，andhadnoconceptionyouwasdyingtillheknewitthismoment，ma’am。"
　　"ThanktheChancellor，Mr。Ferdinand，andsaythatthoughwemustallgooutsomedayIhavenodesireforadissolutionatpresent，andshalldomybesttoprovemyselfworthyofmyconstitution。"
　　"Yes，ma’am。"
　　Mr。Ferdinandretired，brushingawayatear。
　　"Itwouldnotbefeasible，Isuppose，Hennessey，tostationGustavuspermanentlyatthetelegraphofficewithasmallhamper，sothathemightcollectthewiresinitastheyarriveandconveythemhere，onceanhourorso，enteringbytheareadoor。Ithoughtperhapsthatmightobviate——"
　　Mr。Ferdinandoncemoreappeared，lookingverypuffyabouttheeyes。
　　"Ifyouplease，ma’am，La——adyJuliaPos——ostlethwaiteisbelow，andaskswhe——etheryouaretrulygoingma’am？"
　　"Going？Whereto，Mr。Ferdinand？"
　　"Theotherpla——ace，ma’am。Herladyshipiscryingsomethingterrible，ma’am，andsays，tillsheno——no——noticedthefactshehadno——no——
　　notionyouwasleavingussosoon，ma’am。"
　　HereMr。Ferdinandutteredaverystrangeandheartrendingsoundthatwasratherlikethebarkofadogwithabadcoldinitshead。
　　"Itisreallyveryoddsomanypeoplefindingoutsosoon！"saidMrs。
　　Merilliainsomesurprise。"Tellherladyship，Mr。Ferdinand，that——"
　　Butatthismomenttherewasthesoundoffeetonthestairs，andLadyEnidThistlehurriedintotheroom，closelyfollowedbyMr。RobertGreen。LadyEnidwentupatoncetoMrs。Merillia。
　　"Iamsoshockedanddistressedtoseeyournews，dearMrs。Merillia，"
　　shecriedaffectionately。"But，"sheadded，withmuchinquisitiveness，"isitreallytruethatifanyonetappedonthedooryouwouldcertainlydie？Howcanyoubesosureofyourself。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？Ah，Mr。Green，howd’youdo？Seemynews！"
　　"Yes，writtenuponthefrontdoor。Everyone’sshocked。"
　　"Rather！"saidMr。Green，gazingatMrs。Merilliawithconfusedmournfulness。"Onedoesn’tseedeathonafrontdooreveryday，don’tyouknow，inbigroundhandtoo，andthenoneofthosemodernwords。"
　　"Deathonthefrontdoorinbigroundhand！"saidMrs。Merilliainthegreatestperplexity。
　　"Iputitthere，grannie，"saidtheProphet，humbly。"Iwrotethatifanotherboyknocked，deathwouldcertainlyensue。"
　　"Ensue。That’sit。Iknewitwasoneofthosemodernwords，"saidMr。
　　Green。
　　"Anotherboy？"saidLadyEnid。"Whyshouldanotherboyknock？"
　　"Hennesseyreceivesaboutninetelegramsanhour，"answeredMrs。
　　Merillia。
　　"Really！"
　　LadyEnidlookedathimwithkeeninterest，whileMrs。Merilliacontinued，——
　　"Youhadbettertakedeathoffthedoornow，Mr。Ferdinand。Ifeelmoremyself。Pleasethankherladyshipandtellherso。"
　　"Yes，ma’am。"
　　"Ninetelegramsanhour！"repeatedLadyEnid。"Mr。Vivian，wouldyoumindjustseeingmeasfarasHillStreet？BobhastogotoTattersall’s。"
　　"HaveI，Niddy？"askedMr。Green，withevidentsurprise。
　　"Yes，topickupapolopony。Don’tyourecollect？"
　　"Apolopony，wasit？ByJove！"
　　"Iwillcomewithpleasure，"saidthepoorProphet，whofeltfitonlytoliedownquietlyinhisgrave。"Ifyoudon’tmindbeingleft，grannie？"
　　Mrs。Merilliawaslookingpleased。
　　"No，no。GowithLadyEnid，mydearboy。IfanytelegramscomeshallI
　　open——"
　　"No，"criedtheProphet，withsuddenfierceenergy。"Formercy’ssake——
　　Imean，grannie，dear；thatnonewillcome。Iftheyshould"——hisordinarygentleeyesflamedalmostfuriously——"Mr。Ferdinandistoburnthemunread——yes，toashes。Iwilltellhim。"AndheescortedLadyEnidtumultuouslydownstairs，missinghisfootingateverysecondstep。
　　InthesquaretheypartedfromMr。Green，whosaid，——
　　"Good—bye，Niddy，oldgirl。WhatdoIwanttopickupatTattersall’s？"
　　"Apolopony，Bob，"sheansweredfirmly。