Suddenly, however, it was the young man's misfortune to see the two
Kimper boys on the opposite side of the street, and as he eyed them,
his lip curled, and he said,--

"Isn't it somewhat strange that your estimable parents are so greatly
interested in the father of those wretched scamps?"

"Nothing that my father and mother do, Mr. Bartram," said Miss Prency,
"is at all strange. They are quite as intelligent as anyone of my
acquaintance, I am sure, and more so than most people whom I know, and
I have no doubt that their interest in the poor fellow has very good
grounds."

"Perhaps so," said the young man, with another curl of his lip, which
exasperated his companion. "I sometimes wonder, however, whether men
and women, when they reach middle life and have been reasonably
successful and happy in their own affairs, are not likely to allow
their sympathies to run away with their intelligence."

"It may be so," said Eleanor, "among people of your acquaintance, as a
class, but I wish you distinctly to except my parents from the rule."

"But, my dear girl," said the young man, "your parents are exactly the
people to whom I am alluding."

"Then do me the favor to change the subject of conversation," said the
young lady proudly: "I never allow my parents to be criticised in my
hearing by anyone but myself."

"Oh, well," said the young man, "if you choose to take my remarks in