The servant looked at his mistress, who said, "Samuel, bring Mr. Middleton
a steel fork."

When the dessert was brought in Mr. Middleton again exclaimed, as he took
his plate of pudding, "Now what can this be?"

"It is tapioca pudding," said Mrs. Crane.

"Tap-an-oakky," returned Mr. Middleton. "Well, if you don’t have the
queerest things to eat! You ought to come to my house. We don’t have any
your chicken fixin’s nor little three-cornered hankerchers laid out at
each plate."

At last, to Julia’s great relief, dinner was over, and she got her father
started for home. Suddenly Mr. Middleton exclaimed, "That ar doctor is a
mighty fine chap. Why don’t you set your cap for him, Sunshine?"

"It would be of no use, father," answered Fanny.

"Wall, if I’m not mistaken, he’s laid his snare for a bird, and I don’t
care how soon you fall into it, darling," said Mr. Middleton.

"How ridiculous!" exclaimed Julia.

"Ho now, jealous, are you, Tempest?" said her father. "What in thunder do
you think he’ll want of you, who are engaged to Mr. Wilmot?"

This was a truth which had troubled Julia, and she greatly regretted her
engagement, for she well knew Dr. Lacey never would think of her as long
as he thought she belonged to another. She had watched with a jealous eye