'I have a charge on my mind, you see. My coffee, if Gotham gave it to me, would always he flavoured with something worse than grounds. So I come here to get it clear. Have you brought business?' 'Not for you, sir, to-day.' 'Enough of your own in the Hollow by this time, haven't you?' 'Not so much but that I mean to have more.' 'More business?' 'If I can.'—Then he asked Hazel how she did? Hazel recollected in time that it would not be true to say that she felt "more like herself" to-day, and changed that form of reply into a demure 'Pretty well, I think.' 'Pretty well, I think,' Mr. Falkirk echoed. 'Nobody but one who has tried it can tell what it is to have the care of a witch. I have been trying for a week, Rollo, to discover when we are to go to town, and whether I am expected to secure a house; and it is past my power to find out, the one or the other.' 'You do not like Chickaree?' Rollo inquired with matter-of-fact composure. '_She_ don't, in winter.' It is to be remarked, that the elder guardian, completely thrown off his suspicions by the course of the past winter and summer, supposed himself indulging in safe pleasantries with the only one almost with whom he could venture them. 'My dear Mr. Falkirk!—how can you say I dislike what I have never tried!' said Miss Wych. 'Can you inform me distinctly, Miss Hazel, whether you wish to try it?' 'Distinct information rather comes in the way of those vague desires which are supposed to beset me, sir.' 'I beg your pardon, Miss Hazel; I never supposed any such thing.' 'Well, sir—I do not see why October need worry itself about December.' 'I do not see why it should,' chimed in Rollo lazily. 'Does it not, down in your Hollow?' 'Not at all.' 'What more work are you wishing for there?' 'I am thinking—by and by—of building another mill.' 'Another mill!'—Mr. Falkirk's surprise was evidently more than it was polite to shew.—'You have not ground room, have you?' 'Not a present. I hope to be able to secure it. There _is_ room, in the valley.' 'Then you expect your ventures to succeed?' 'Or I should not think of enlarging them.' 'But Charteris and others are underselling you now.' 'Yes.' 'And they will.' 'While they are able.' 'And what under heaven is the use and purpose of it all?' exclaimed Mr. Falkirk testily. 'I beg your pardon—I know I am not your guardian—but what are you aiming to do?' 'Not to ruin myself. To do that would spoil my plan. There are several thousand people living in that Hollow, Mr. Falkirk.' 'I suppose so.' 'Do you know how they are living?' 'No. What business is it of mine?' 'Miss Kennedy is going this morning to see what business it is of mine.' Mr. Falkirk pushed himself away from the table and presently left the room. The others mounted without delay and set off.