Now as Jean watched from her shadowy corner, the boy carefully shifted his oil-skin packet of papers, seated himself upon the window sill and doffed his dripping cap with the air of a court gallant. And mortal ears never heard a stranger conversation. "Good evening, Lady Cheerful!" he said deferentially, his grave brown eyes seeking the spot by the fire where Aunt Cheerful's white woolen gown glimmered faintly in the firelight. "Why, good evening, Lord Chesterfield!" returned Aunt Cheerful, a wonderful warmth and affection in her voice; "I trust I see you well this evening, sir?" "Very well indeed, I thank you, ma'am! I trust," he added very politely, "that your Ladyship is enjoying good health?" "I am indeed. May I venture to ask your Lordship how you have found business this evening?" Lord Chesterfield looked gravely at the dripping oilskin. "The night is very wet," he admitted, "and business poor!" [Illustration: The boy seated himself upon the window-sill and doffed his dripping cap with the air of a gallant.] "Dear, dear! What a pity!" "But, as usual, I have given myself the honor of stopping at the post-office for your Ladyship's mail." "Kindly and courteous and thoughtful as ever!" nodded Aunt Cheerful. Lord Chesterfield's cheeks reddened with pleasure. "There was nothing!" he said regretfully. "Now as to the news"--frowning thoughtfully--"Mrs. Bobbins' twins have the measles." "Well, now, I _am_ sorry!" exclaimed Aunt Cheerful sympathetically. "And Grandmother Radcliffe's cow 'pears to be growing more mopey and blue each day. She bellows terrible mournful." "I can't imagine," mused Aunt Cheerful, "what _can_ be the matter with that poor cow!" "The strange lady at the hotel went walking to-night in the rain and she's not back yet. Most likely she's gone a-visitin'." "Hum!" said Aunt Cheerful. "And then"--Lord Chesterfield cleared his throat--"I wouldn't tell you this, ma'am, but your Ladyship would surely ask me. I'm sorry to have to tell you that there's another leak in that roof of mine." "Another leak! Oh, my dear boy!" exclaimed Aunt Cheerful in dismay, startled out of her court manners by her quick solicitude. "It is nothing, madam, I assure you!" urged Lord Chesterfield gallantly, "I've got mos' a pound of chewin' gum from the boys to mend it with. They took up a chewing gum subscription," he added gratefully. "Lord Chesterfield," said Aunt Cheerful very soberly, "I'm afraid you'll have to give up that hermit hut of yours. It's growing very leaky! You've thought over very, very carefully that proposition of coming to live with me?" "Very carefully, ma'am, I thank you!" said Lord Chesterfield firmly. "I'm afraid I prefer to stay a bachelor." "And may I venture a question concerning the health of your Lordship's many patients?" "All doing nicely, ma'am, very nicely."