"Nyack is so dull and stupid--so very dull, Mr. Gusher. We only endure
it, you know. And there are so few nice people in it--so very few we
care about associating with," resumed this fat, fussy woman, giving her
head a toss and extending her hands. "A few, a very few nice people have
come up from the city--we find them very agreeable society, quite a
relief. We intend to set up a residence in the city. How delightful to
look forward to the day. We can then live in a style more agreeable to
our taste."

"Oh! madam," rejoined Mr. Gusher, "I am sure you must be very happy.
Your house is so very elegant. I should be so happy in zis house.
(Pardon, madam, I cannot speak Englis so well.) And zen, wiz your
beautiful daughter." Mr. Gusher placed his hand to his heart again,
bowed his head gracefully, and assumed a sentimental air. "Oh, I shall
be so happy to have my home like zis. And your beautiful daughter--she
would sing to me, and she would play me sweet music, and read to me some
poetry. You shall zee I am so proud of ze poetry--"

"How very kind of you," interrupted Mrs. Chapman, bowing
condescendingly; "how very kind of you, to pay my daughter this high
compliment. And, then, coming from so distinguished a foreigner. Indeed,
Mr. Gusher, I have had a mother's responsibility in educating my
daughter up to the highest requisitions of society. Then she's only a
young, thoughtless girl yet, you know. Indeed, Mr. Gusher, if it was not
that she is so intellectual--I say this out of respect to her father,
whose intellectual qualities she inherits--I should feel alarmed about
her. Indeed I should. She is so much admired. And there is nothing
spoils a young, ardent girl so much as admiration."

Chapman now entered the room and suggested that Mr. Gusher, their guest,