rarely spoke, and was as economical of her words as she was of
everything else. She was much given to quoting proverbs, and hurled
these prepared little pieces of wisdom on every side like pellets
out of a pop-gun. Conversation which consists mainly of proverbs is
rarely exhilarating; consequently Miss Sprotts was not troubled to
talk much, either by Madame or McIntosh.

Miss Sprotts moved noiselessly about the small room, in a
wonderfully dextrous manner considering her height, and, after
laying the table, placed the teapot on the hob to 'draw', thereby
disturbing a cat and a dog who were lying in front of the fire--for
there was a fire in the room in spite of the heat of the day, Selina
choosing to consider that the house was damp. She told Madame she
knew it was damp because her bones ached, and as she was mostly
bones she certainly had a good opportunity of judging.

Annoyed at being disturbed by Miss Sprotts, the dog resigned his
comfortable place with a plaintive growl, but the cat, of a more
irritable temperament, set up and made a sudden scratch at her hand,
drawing blood therefrom.

'Animals,' observed Selina, grimly, 'should keep their place;' and
she promptly gave the cat a slap on the side of the head, which sent
him over to Madame's feet, with an angry spit. Madame picked him up
and soothed his ruffled feelings so successfully, that he curled
himself up on her lap and went to sleep.

By-and-bye Archie, who had been making a great splashing in the back
premises, came in looking clean and fresh, with a more obstinate
look about his face than ever. Madame went to the tea-table and sat