as a rule, because Sunday is a _dies non_."

"A what?" asked the Idiot.

"A non-existent day in a business sense," put in the School-master.

"Of course," said the landlady, scornfully. "Any person who knows
anything knows that."

"Then, madame," returned the Idiot, rising from his chair, and putting a
handful of sweet crackers in his pocket--"then I must put in a claim for
$104 from you, having been charged, at the rate of one dollar a day for
104 _dies nons_ in the two years I have been with you."

"Indeed!" returned the lady, sharply. "Very well. And I shall put in a
counterclaim for the lunches you carry away from breakfast every morning
in your pockets."

"In that event we'll call it off, madame," returned the Idiot, as with a
courtly bow and a pleasant smile he left the room.

"Well, I call him 'off,'" was all the landlady could say, as the other
guests took their departure.

And of course the School-master agreed with her.




VII