An extra bottle of port after dinner was another Sunday observance which added to the irritability of the occasion,--so that the squire, when the reading and prayers were over, would generally be very cross, and would take himself up to bed almost without a word, and the brothers would rush away almost with indecent haste to their smoking.

As the novels had all been put away into a cupboard, and the good books which were kept for the purpose strewed about in place of them, and as knitting, and even music, were tabooed, the girls, having nothing to do, would also go away at an early hour.
'John, would you mind staying a few moments with me ?' said Aunt Polly, in her softest voice when Caldigate was hurrying after his male cousins.
He knew that the hour had come, and he girded up his loins.
'Come nearer, John,' she said,--and he came nearer, so that she could put her hand upon his.

'Do you remember, John, when you and I and Julia were together in that little room up-stairs ?' There was so much pathos in her voice, she did her acting so well, that his respect for her was greatly augmented,--as was also his fear.

'She remembers it very well.' 'Of course I remember it, Aunt Polly.

It's one of those things that a man doesn't forget.' 'A man ought not to forget such a scene as that,' she said, shaking her head.