_Spread._ Indifferently well--indifferently well. The fact is, I hardly know where I am, for all my old landmarks are swept away; I assure you I am within the mark, when I say that this house is positively the only place I can identify. _Jen._ The town has increased very rapidly of late. _Spread._ Rapidly! When I left, there were not twenty houses in the place, but (_politely_) that was long before your time. I left a village, I find a town--I left a beadle, I find a mayor and corporation--I left a pump, I find a statue to a borough member. The inn is a “Palace Hotel Company--” the alms-house a county jail--the pound is a police station, and the common a colony of semi-detached bungalows! Everything changed, including myself--everything new, except myself--ha, ha! _Jen._ I shall be glad to offer you any assistance in my power, I should be a good guide, for I have lived here thirty-two years! _Spread._ Thirty-two years! is it possible? Then surely I ought to know you? (_He feels for his glasses._) My name is Spreadbrow--Sir Henry Spreadbrow! _Jen._ Spreadbrow! (_Putting on spectacles._) Is it possible? Why, my very dear old friend (_offering both her hands_), don’t you recollect me? _Spread._ (_he puts on his double eye-glass, takes both her hands_). God bless me!--is it possible?--and this is really you!--you don’t say so! Dear me, dear me! Well, well, well! I assure you I am delighted, most unaffectedly delighted, to renew our friendship! (_Shaking hands again, they sit under tree and look at each other curiously._) _Spread._ Not changed a bit! My dear Jane, you really must allow me. (_They shake hands again._) And now tell me, how is Mr. Braybrook? _Jen._ (_rather surprised_). Oh, Mr. Braybrook is very well; I expect him home presently; he will be very glad to see you, for he has often heard me speak of you. _Spread._ Has he indeed? It will give me the greatest--the very greatest possible pleasure, believe me (_very emphatically_), to make his acquaintance. _Jen._ (_still surprised at his emphatic manner_). I’m sure he will be delighted. _Spread._ Now tell me all about yourself. Any family? _Jen._ (_puzzled_). I beg your pardon? _Spread._ Any family? _Jen._ Mr. Braybrook? _Spread._ Well--yes. _Jen._ Mr. Braybrook is a bachelor. _Spread._ A bachelor? Then let me understand--am I not speaking to Mrs. Braybrook? _Jen._ No, indeed you are not! Ha, ha! (_much amused_). Mr. Braybrook is my nephew; the place belongs to him now. _Spread._ Oh! then, my dear Jane, may I ask who you are? _Jen._ I am not married. _Spread._ Not married! _Jen._ No; I keep house for my nephew. _Spread._ Why, you don’t mean to sit there and look me in the face and tell me, after thirty years, that you are still Jane Northbrook? _Jen._ (_rather hurt at the mistake_). Northcott.