It was very sad for me not to be able to see Min, and hear _her_ congratulations; but still, that could not be at present; and, in the meantime, other folk took interest in me. It is wonderful, how people living in a small suburb, or remote country village, are obliged to submit to having their actions canvassed, and the incidents of their private life made public property of, by other persons with whom they may have nothing whatever in common! For instance, what earthly concern was it of Mr Mawley's, whether I chose to accept a Government appointment, or not? Why should _he_ have the impertinent officiousness to lecture me when he heard of my joining the Obstructor General's Office; and, _I_, be forced to submit to his remarks thereon? He doubted, forsooth, whether I was really suited to the work! He "hoped" I would "get steadier," he was pleased to say; and, he was also kind enough to express the desire for me to learn that "deference towards my superiors," with which I was, at present, according to his idea, "sadly unacquainted!" Indeed! It was just like his presumption. I wonder if he thought himself one of the "superiors" in question. Did he wish me always to allow his ridiculous assertions to pass unquestioned?-- Lady Dasher, too, had her say. But, as she suggested a valuable hint to me, I condoned her offence. I had gone to call one afternoon soon after the change in my condition, which everybody, by the way, seemed pleased at, that I cared about, save dog Catch. The poor fellow missed his walks sadly, having now to put up with a short morning and evening stroll, instead of being out with me all day, as he frequently had been before, when, my time being my own, I was free to roam. "My lady" appeared more melancholic than ordinarily, when congratulating me on my successful entry into public life. She spoke as if she were condoling with me on the demise of a near relative. I returned this by praising a new fuchsia with five pink bells and a golden coronal, which she had lately added to her collection; and, she then gave me the hint to which I have drawn attention. "Ah! Mr Lorton," she said, after a pause, "life is very uncertain!" "Just so," I said, acquiescing in her truism, in order to keep up the conversation,--"but we cannot help that, you know, Lady Dasher." "No, indeed!" she sighed, rather than spoke.--"And that ought to make us more careful, especially on entering into life as you are now doing. My poor dear papa used to say that every young man should insure; and I would recommend your taking out a `policy,' isn't that what they call it? _He_ did not insure his life--poor dear papa did not require it; but he always advised every one else doing so!" "That's what most people do,"--I said; still, I was thankful for the hint, and carried it into effect shortly afterwards.