"Which," interrupted Frank, "your medical friends here say you must at present think as little about as you can, and not talk about at all." "Well, well, old fellow, their advice is doubtless very good; but it shall not for all that prevent my indulging in feelings of thankfulness to heaven for my deliverance." "Not an uncomfortable room this," observed Frank, looking around it. "Can any thing convey an air of greater comfort?" said Vernon. "There's a look of cheerful cleanliness about it that's quite delightful; and as for the bed, I never rested my wearied limbs before on one I liked better." "Ay," said Frank, "and all through the house, from attic to cellar, I'll venture to say you'll find things just the same." "Why, you can scarcely have had sufficient time or opportunity to ascertain that yet, I should imagine," observed Vernon; "for, with all the modest assurance with which you are so superabundantly blessed, you can't have already been paul-prying, and poking that impudent nose of yours into every hole and corner of it." "Certainly not," answered Frank, "but I've seen quite enough to form a pretty accurate judgment that the bulk will tally with the sample--a conclusion I can arrive at without the aid of my nasal organ. A fact may be ascertained without one's poking their nose to the bottom of it--a very unsatisfactory, as well as uncertain, mode of proceeding, take my word for it. Why, I wouldn't undertake to ascertain even the height or depth of a molehill by so uncertain a process." "And will you never forget that unlucky blunder of mine?" asked Mr Vernon Wycherley. "Never, I promise you," replied Frank. "Well, then, if you can't forget it, I suppose you can cease talking about it; and, by way of a more pleasing subject, suppose you tell me something about the people here--the old gentleman, the only member of the family I've yet seen, appears to possess a very host of good-nature." "And a very good-natured host he has proved," interrupted Frank. "That's right," said Vernon;--"very well for you; so book it, to tell again, and make the most of it."