"The visitor has come in, whoever it is.

It can't be Mr.Gimble, Valentine; he always runs up two stairs at a time." "And this is one of the heavy-weights.

Not an ounce less than sixteen stone, I should say, by the step," remarked Zack, letting his muffin burn while he listened.
"It can't be that tiresome old Lady Brambledown come to worry you again about altering her picture," said Mrs.Blyth.
"Stop! surely it isn't--" began Valentine.

But before he could say another word, the door opened; and, to the utter amazement of everybody but the poor girl whose ear no voice could reach, the servant announced: "MRS.

PECKOVER.".