Here I trembled; but the ladies, Heaven bless them! had taken Parson Dale under their special protection; and, observing that my father was puckering up his brows critically, they rushed boldly forward in defence of The Sermon, and Mr Caxton was forced to beat a retreat. However, like a skilful general, he renewed the assault upon outposts less gallantly guarded. But as it is not my business to betray my weak points, I leave it to the ingenuity of cavillers to discover the places at which the Author of _Human Error_ directed his great guns. "But," said the Captain, "you are a lad of too much spirit, Pisistratus, to keep us always in the obscure country quarters of Hazeldean--you will march us out into open service before you have done with us?" PISISTRATUS, magisterially, for he has been somewhat nettled by Mr Caxton's remarks--and he puts on an air of dignity, in order to awe away minor assailants.--"Yes, Captain Roland--not yet awhile, but all in good time. I have not stinted myself in canvass, and behind my foreground of the Hall and the Parsonage I propose, hereafter, to open some lengthened perspective of the varieties of English life--" MR CAXTON.--"Hum!" BLANCHE, putting her hand on my father's lip.--"We shall know better the design, perhaps, when we know the title. Pray, Mr Author, what is the title?" MY MOTHER, with more animation than usual.--"Ay, Sisty--the title?" PISISTRATUS, startled.--"The title! By the soul of Cervantes! I have never yet thought of a title!" CAPTAIN ROLAND, solemnly.--"There is a great deal in a good title. As a novel reader, I know that by experience." MR SQUILLS.--"Certainly; there is not a catchpenny in the world but what goes down, if the title be apt and seductive. Witness 'Old Parr's Life Pills.' Sell by the thousand, sir, when my 'Pills for Weak Stomachs,' which I believe to be just the same compound, never paid for the advertising." MR CAXTON.--"Parr's Life Pills! a fine stroke of genius! It is not every one who has a weak stomach, or time to attend to it, if he have. But who would not swallow a pill to live to a hundred and fifty-two?" PISISTRATUS, stirring the fire in great excitement.--"My title! my title!--what shall be my title!"