"`Messrs. Spindle and Twist beg to call your attention to a very curious sherry, and'--um--um--um--um--Ah! you don't want to lay down sherry, do you, Arthur?" "No, my dear Mary," said her brother; and letter number two was opened. "`Mr Hazelton is now prepared to make advances upon personal security to the clergy, gentry--' Bah! money-lenders!" exclaimed Miss Mary Rosebury, throwing aside the second letter. "I wish these people wouldn't bore us with their applications. What's this?" As she spoke she took up a large blue official-looking envelope. "Looks important, my dear Mary," said the Rev Arthur, displaying a little more interest. "Yes," said his sister, turning the letter over. "Oh! Arthur, suppose it means preferment at last--a vicarage somewhere." "I don't think I should be very much pleased, my dear Mary. I am very happy here." "Oh, yes, of course we are, Arthur; but as I have often said, there does seem to be a something wanting, and--`The directors of the New Polwheedle and Verity Friendship Tin Mining'--Oh, dear, dear, just as if we had money to throw down Cornish mines. What's this? I don't know this hand. There's a crest upon the envelope, and `H.B.' in the corner. Oh! it's from Doctor Bolter." "Postmark Penang?" said the Reverend Arthur. "Wondered I had not heard from him." "No, it's from London. Let me see. All about specimens, I suppose." My Dear Rosebury,-- I'm in England for a month or two, and am coming down to see you and chat over old times. Don't make any fuss, old fellow! Bed on a sofa will do for an old campaigner like me. I've got business your way--to see some young ladies at Mayleyfield--daughters of two people out in the Peninsula. Been educated at home, and I am going to be their escort back. Nuisance, but must do it; expect me to-morrow. Yours very truly,-- Harry Bolter. The Reverend Arthur Rosebury. "Why, Arthur, he's coming here!" "Yes, my dear. I'm very glad!" "But to-day, Arthur! What shall I do?" "Do, my dear Mary? Nothing! Bolter never wants anything done for him, unless he's very much altered, and I don't think he will be." "But the young ladies at Mayleyfield? Why that must be at Miss Twettenham's establishment!" "Very probably, my dear!" said the Reverend Arthur, getting up to walk up and down the room. "I shall be very, very glad to see Harry Bolter. I wonder whether he has brought any specimens?" "To be sure, I've heard that the Misses Twettenham have several young ladies there whose parents are in India." "Not India, my dear. Henry Bolter has been in the Malay Peninsula. He was at Singapore and then at Penang." "And the house in such a terrible muddle!" exclaimed Miss Mary. "Whatever shall I do?" "What a little world this is," said the Reverend Arthur. "How strange that Henry Bolter should, so to speak, have friends as near as Mayleyfield!" "Oh, Arthur, Arthur, you really have no thought whatever! To-day is baking day!"