"Hadn't you better be beginning pretty soon? because an ear-trumpet will cost a good deal, and it would be a pity to keep old Dyson waiting." Sir Everard handed him a shilling, saying, as he did so: "Now, mind, it is not to be spent on anything else," and Humphrey faithfully promised it should not. Old Dyson was in his garden when they passed, so they drew up to speak to him He was not so deaf as to be unable to hear Sir Everard's powerful shout, but Humphrey's little attempts were futile. "How pleased he'd be," thought Humphrey to himself, "if he knew I was going to save up my money to buy him an ear-trumpet." And he held up his shilling to the old man in triumph, as if the very sight of it would tell him the whole story. Dyson smiled and nodded. "Ay, ay, going to buy sweeties, I see!" Humphrey shook his head vehemently, and tried to shout an explanation. "No!" said the old man; "then it'll be a top, maybe?" It was no use trying to make him understand; and as Sir Everard was moving off, Humphrey was obliged to follow, shaking his head to the last. "It would never do to tell old Dyson a secret," he observed to his father, when he overtook him. "Why not?" "Why, you'd have to scream it so loud in his ear that every one would hear. It wouldn't be much of a secret when all the village was listening. Supposing I were to shout to him, 'Dyson, I'm going to give father a birthday present, and it's a cigar ca----.' Oh, good gracious!" said Humphrey, pulling up his pony, "I've told you my secret! Oh, father, _did_ you guess?" Sir Everard's attention had been wandering, and he could honestly assure the child that he was as far as ever from knowing the secret. "And now, here we are at General Colville's," he added; "so you will have lots of things to distract your thoughts." Sir Everard and Humphrey were shown into the drawing-room where were two ladies and some children. Mrs. Colville came forward to receive them, and informed Sir Everard that her husband was confined to his room with a slight attack of gout. Sir Everard immediately volunteered to go and see him. Mrs. Colville took him up-stairs, and Humphrey was left with the other lady. "What is your name, dear?" she asked. "I'm Humphrey Duncombe," he answered, seating himself by her side. "Who are you?" "I'm Mrs. Colville's sister," she answered, smiling. "I suppose you don't remember me, but I have seen you before, at your grandmother's, at Banleigh. I live close by." "I wonder if you could keep a secret?" said Humphrey eagerly. "Yes, dear, I think so; but why? Have you got one to tell me?" "A very great one. I've never had one before, and I don't like it at all. I _must_ tell some one, or else I shall be telling it to father, you know." "But why not tell your father? Surely he would be the best person." "Tell father! Mrs. Colville's sister? Why, he's just the very person who isn't to know."