don't remember any more, and I don't care," finished Jack, who could
be like a mule on occasions.

Uncle Geoffrey laughed--he could not help it--and then he patted
Jack kindly on her rough locks. "Clever little Fee-fo-fum; so William
the Conqueror had six wives, had he? Come, this is capital; we must
send you to school, Jack, that is what we must do. Esther cannot be
in two places at once." What did he mean by that, I wonder! And then
he bid me run off and put on my hat, and not keep him waiting.

Jack's brief sullenness soon vanished, and she followed me out of
the room to give me a penitent hug--that was so like Jack; the inky
caress was a doubtful consolation, but I liked it, somehow.

"Where are you going, Uncle Geoff?" I asked, as we walked up the
High street, followed by Jumbles, while Jack and Smudge watched us
from the door.

"Miss Lucas wants to see you," he returned, briefly. "Bless me,
there is Carrie, deep in conversation with Mr. Smedley. Where on
earth has the girl picked him up?" And there, true enough, was
Carrie, standing in the porch, talking eagerly to a fresh-colored,
benevolent-looking man, whom I knew by sight as the vicar of St.
Barnabas.

She must have waylaid him after service, for the other worshipers
had dropped off; we had met two or three of them in the High street.
I do not know why the sight displeased me, for of course she had a
right to speak to her clergyman. Uncle Geoffrey whistled under his
breath, and then laughed and wondered "what the little saint had to