"'My letter has grown very long and I must hasten to conclude it. Just before the rent was due at Michaelmas (we paid it half-yearly, by agreement) Gavity put the bill of sale into force. One morning several men came in and swept off the furniture. We were turned out next: though indeed to have attempted to remain in that large house were folly. The landlord came in a passion, and told Pyefinch that he would put him in prison if he were worth it; as he was not, he had better go out of the pitch--place--forthwith, as another tenant was ready to take possession. Since then we have been staying here, Pyefinch vainly seeking to get some employment. What we hoped was, that he would obtain an under-mastership to some public fool----" "Fool, sir!" "'School. But it seems difficult. He sends his best regards to you, and bids me say that the reason you have not heard from us so long is, that we could not bear to tell you the ill news after your former kindness to us. The arrival of the hamper leaves us no resource. "'Thank you for that. Thank you very truly. The people at the old house have our address, and re-directed it here. We received it early on Christmas Eve. How good the things were, you do not need to be told. I stuffed the turkey--I shall make a famous cook in time--and sent it to the backhouse--bakehouse. You should have seen the pill--picture--it was when it came home. Believe me, my dear friends, we are both of us grateful for all your kindness to us, past and present. Little Joe is so delighted with the doll, he scarcely puts it out of his arms. Our best love to all, including Hugh and Lena. Thank Johnny for the beautiful new book he put in. I must apologize in conclusion for my writing; the ink we get in these penny bottles is pale; and baby has been on my lap all the time, never easy a minute. Do not say anything of all this, please, should you be writing to Wales. "'Ever most truly yours, "'MARY BLAIR. "'_13, Difford's Buildings, Paddington._'" The Squire put the letter down and his spectacles on it, quite solemnly. You might have heard a pin drop in that room. "This is a thing that must be inquired into. I shall go up to-morrow." "And I'd go too, sir, but for my engagement to the Whitneys," said Tod. "She must mean, in speaking of a baby, that there's another," spoke Mrs. Todhetley, in a frightened sort of whisper. "Besides little Joe. Dear me!" "I don't understand it," stamped the Squire, getting red. "Turned out of house and home through _Jerry's Gazette_! Do we live in England, I'd like to ask?--under English laws?--enjoying English rights and freedom? _Jerry's Gazette?_ What the deuce _is_ _Jerry's Gazette_? Where does it come from? What issues it? The Lord Chamberlain's Office?--or Scotland Yard?--or some Patent society that we've not heard of, down here? The girl must have been imposed upon: her statement won't hold water." "It looks as though she had been, sir."