"He would have to be _very_ eccentric to dress as he did. There are degrees and limits, dear." "But kilts," said Mrs Jehoram. "Are all very well in the Highlands...." Mrs Jehoram's eyes had rested upon a black speck creeping slowly across a patch of yellowish-green up the hill. "There he goes," said Mrs Jehoram, rising, "across the cornfield. I'm sure that's him. I can see the hump. Unless it's a man with a sack. Bless me, Minnie! here's an opera glass. How convenient for peeping at the Vicarage!... Yes, it's the man. He is a man. With _such_ a sweet face." Very unselfishly she allowed her hostess to share the opera glass. For a minute there was a rustling silence. "His dress," said Mrs Mendham, "is _quite_ respectable now." "Quite," said Mrs Jehoram. Pause. "He looks cross!" "And his coat is dusty." "He walks steadily enough," said Mrs Mendham, "or one might think.... This hot weather...." Another pause. "You see, dear," said Mrs Jehoram, putting down the lorgnette. "What I was going to say was, that possibly he might be a genius in disguise." "If you can call next door to nothing a disguise." "No doubt it was eccentric. But I've seen children in little blouses, not at all unlike him. So many clever people _are_ peculiar in their dress and manners. A genius may steal a horse where a bank-clerk may not look over the hedge. Very possibly he's quite well known and laughing at our Arcadian simplicity. And really it wasn't so improper as some of these New Women bicycling costumes. I saw one in one of the Illustrated Papers only a few days ago--the _New Budget_ I think--quite tights, you know, dear. No--I cling to the genius theory. Especially after the playing. I'm sure the creature is original. Perhaps very amusing. In fact, I intend to ask the Vicar to introduce me." "My dear!" cried Mrs Mendham. "I'm resolute," said Mrs Jehoram. "I'm afraid you're rash," said Mrs Mendham. "Geniuses and people of that kind are all very well in London. But here--at the Vicarage." "We are going to educate the folks. I love originality. At any rate I mean to see him." "Take care you don't see too much of him," said Mrs Mendham. "I've heard the fashion is quite changing. I understand that some of the very best people have decided that genius is not to be encouraged any more. These recent scandals...." "Only in literature, I can assure you, dear. In music...." "Nothing you can say, my dear," said Mrs Mendham, going off at a tangent, "will convince me that that person's costume was not extremely suggestive and improper." A TRIVIAL INCIDENT. XXXII.