"WHY DID I KISS HER, THEN? "What's that to do with it? Appearances are one thing, Mr. Caudle; and feelings are another. As if women can't kiss one another without meaning anything by it! And you--I could see you looked as cold and as formal at her as--well, Caudle! I wouldn't be the hypocrite you are for the world! "There, now; I've heard all that story. I daresay she did come down to join her brother. How very lucky, though, that you should be here! Ha! ha! how very lucky that--ugh! ugh! ugh! and with the cough I've got upon me--oh, you've a heart like a sea-side flint! Yes, that's right. That's just like your humanity. I can't catch a cold, but it must be my own fault--it must be my thin shoes. I daresay you'd like to see me in ploughman's boots; 'twould be no matter to you how I disfigured myself. Miss Prettyman's foot, NOW, would be another thing--no doubt. "I thought when you would make me leave home--I thought we were coming here on pleasure: but it's always the way you embitter my life. The sooner that I'm out of the world the better. What do you say? "NOTHING? "But I know what you mean, better than if you talked an hour. I only hope you'll get a better wife, that's all, Mr. Caudle. What? "YOU'D NOT TRY? "Wouldn't you? I know you. In six months you'd fill up my place; yes, and dreadfully my dear children would suffer for it. "Caudle, if you roar in that way, the people will give us warning to- morrow. "CAN'T I BE QUIET, THEN? "Yes--that's like your artfulness: anything to make me hold my tongue. But we won't quarrel. I'm sure if it depended upon me, we might be as happy as doves. I mean it--and you needn't groan when I say it. Good-night, Caudle. What do you say? "BLESS ME! "Well, you are a dear soul, Caudle; and if it wasn't for that Miss Prettyman--no, I'm not torturing you. I know very well what I'm doing, and I wouldn't torture you for the world; but you don't know what the feelings of a wife are, Caudle; you don't. "Caudle--I say, Caudle. Just a word, dear. "WELL? "Now, why should you snap me up in that way? "YOU WANT TO GO TO SLEEP? "So do I; but that's no reason you should speak to me in that manner. You know, dear, you once promised to take me to France. "YOU DON'T RECOLLECT IT? "Yes--that's like you; you don't recollect many things you've promised me; but I do. There's a boat goes on Wednesday to Boulogne, and comes back the day afterwards. "WHAT OF IT? "Why, for that time we could leave the children with the girls, and go nicely. "NONSENSE?