'Now, Biddy. Open your eyes' 195




'O little hearts! that throb and beat,
With such impatient, feverish heat,
Such limitless and strong desires.'--LONGFELLOW.




THE RECTORY CHILDREN




CHAPTER I

THE PARLOUR BEHIND THE SHOP

'I was very solitary indeed.'
(_Visit to the Cousins_).--MARY LAMB.


The blinds had been drawn down for some time in the back parlour behind
Mr. Fairchild's shop in Pier Street, the principal street in the little
town of Seacove. And the gas was lighted, though it was not turned up
very high. It was a great thing to have gas; it had not been known at
Seacove till recently. For the time of which I am writing is now a good