"I don't hold with you," declared Vivian. "At such a gait us would never use the same soap or wear the same clothes two years together. If you'm going to run your life by the newspapers, you'm in the same case with the chaps and the donkey in the fable. What father believed and held to, I shall believe and hold to; for he was a better man than me and knowed a lot more." Humphrey shook his head. "If we all thought so, the world would stand still," he replied. "'Tis the very argument pushed in the papers to-day about teaching the young people. 'Tis said they must be taught just what their parents want for 'm to be taught. And who knows best, I should like to know--the parents and guardians, as have finished their learning years ago and be miles behind-hand in their knowledge, or the schoolmasters and mistresses as be up to date in their larning and full of the latest things put into books? There's no standing still with the world any more than there's standing still with the sun. It can't be. Law's against it." "We must have change," admitted Nathan. "For sure we must. 'Tis the only way to keep sweet--like water running forward. If you block it in a pond, it goes stagnant; and if you block your brains, they rot." "Then let us leave it at that," said Vivian's wife. "And now, if you men have done your drink, you can go off and smoke while we tidy up." But there was yet a duty to perform, and Nathan rose and whispered in Humphrey's ear. "I think the time's come for drinking his health. It must be done. Will you propose it?" His brother answered aloud. "Nathan wants for me to propose your good health, Vivian. But I ban't going to. That sort of thing isn't in my line. I wish you nought but well, and there's an end on't." "Then I'll say a word," declared the innkeeper, returning to his place. "Fill your glasses--just a drop more, Hester, you must drink--isn't it to your own husband? And I say here, in this family party, that 'tis a proud and a happy thing to have for the head of the family such a man as our brother--your husband, Hester; and your father, you boys and girls. Long may he be spared to stand up among us and set us a good example of what's brave and comely in man; long may he be spared, I say, and from my heart I bless him for a good brother and husband and father, and wish him many happy returns of his birthday. My love and honour to you, Vivian!" They all rose and spoke after the custom of the clan. "My love and honour to you, brother," said Humphrey. "My love and honour to you, Vivian Baskerville," said his wife. "Love and honour to you, father," murmured the boys and girls. And Mark said, "Love and honour to you, uncle." There was a gulching of liquor in the silence that followed, and Mr. Baskerville's little eyes twinkled.