"After all, Nancy, where is the use of vexing people for nothing ?" "Not _people_ generally," reply I, still chafed; "but I _should_ like some one who was not his child, and in whom it would not be disrespectful, to pay him out for keeping us all as he did this morning; he knew as well as possible that we were dying to be off; _that_ was why he had that last cup: he did not _want_ it any more than I did.

He did not drink it; did not you see?
he left three-quarters of it." Sir Roger does not answer, unless a slight shrug and a passing his hand across his face with a rather dispirited gesture be an answer.

I feel ashamed of my petulance.
"Do you feel inclined to tell me about your ill news ?" I say, gently, going over to him, and putting my hand on his shoulder.

"I have been making so many guesses as to what it can be ?" "Have you ?" he says, looking up.

"I dare say.