"We shall have to announce the truth," he said, as he bustled about while the rest of the family took their seats. "Our young friend here set out to walk to Culbut, and either had a touch of sunstroke, or else forgot himself and became intoxicated--which would be reprehensible, but not altogether inexcusable in one of his youth--and cannot give an account of himself. No doubt his memory will come back, but until it does we must all stand together and protect him from these suspicions. If there is one thing that is quite clear, it is that he has never been a rich man. Although his accent is not quite what one would expect from a Highlander, I believe myself that he _is_ one, because it was quite plain from the first that he had never seen a servant in his life, and had no idea of how to treat them. Now if you are all sure that you have everything that you want, I will go and get on with my work. Don't leave quite so much on your plates as you did yesterday, please--I don't mean you, Perry. And it is quite time that this ham showed more signs of wear." With a cheery laugh Mr. Blother left the room, and Edward came in as he did so. He was generally up early, and had already been in to Culbut that morning. He was in a state of considerable excitement, but not over the affair that was in all our minds, which he put aside as of no account. "Oh, that will all blow over," he said. "There is something far more serious now to engage people's attention." We all looked at him expectantly. He was much agitated, and seemed at first incapable of speech. But when he had gulped down a little tea, he said in a voice vibrant with emotion: "This day will never be forgotten in Upsidonia. The social revolution has commenced." We all looked towards Mr. Perry. It rested with him--the head of the family, and a man with a whole life of benevolent wisdom behind him--to indicate the line to be taken in face of this startling intelligence. He kept his eyes fixed on his plate, but looked very grave, and shook his head slowly. There was a moment's silence, and then he said: "It is an extraordinary thing that with all the improvements in communication we never can get our fish perfectly fresh. Mollie, will you take this away and give me some kidneys and bacon. I beg your pardon, Edward--you were saying--?" Edward launched himself into an almost violent flood of speech. "I have felt it coming for a long time," he said. "I have done what I could to stem the tide, and to confine it in safe channels, such as I knew you, dear father, would approve of. But the torrent has been too strong. It has broken through all the puny obstacles I have set up. We are now launched on its full flood, and heaven help those who are not to be found on the right side." "My dear Edward, tell us what has happened," said Mrs. Perry. "You are keeping us on tenterhooks."