that seat beside her."

"Richard Morton," said Mr. Yocomb from the head of the table, "has
thee made the acquaintance of Emily Warren?"

"No, sir, but I am making it."

"So am I, and she has been here a week."

"I should esteem that one of the highest of compliments," I said; then
turning to her, I added, in an aside, "You found me out in half an
hour."

"Am I such a sphinx?" she asked Mr. Yocomb with a smile; while to me
she said, in a low tone: "You are mistaken. You have had something to
say to me almost daily for a year or more."

"I am not acquainted with the article, and so can't give an opinion,"
Mr. Yocomb replied, with a humorous twinkle in his eye. "If the
resemblance is close, so much the better for the sphinxes."

"Now, father, thee isn't a young man that thee should be complimenting
the girls," his wife remarked.

"I've persuaded Silas Jones to stay," said Adah, entering.

"Silas Jones, I hope thee and thy parents are well," Mrs. Yocomb
answered, with a courtesy somewhat constrained. "Will thee take that
seat by Adah? Let me make thee acquainted with Richard Morton and
Emily Warren."