"All this isn't very interesting to poor Arthur.

How terrible people are with a newcomer in a town; they talk as if he knew all about everybody!" "But we don't know anything about these queer people, ourselves," said Mrs.Palmer.

"We know something about the girl, of course--she used to be a bit too conspicuous, in fact! However, as you say, we might find a subject more interesting for Arthur." She smiled whimsically upon the young man.

"Tell the truth," she said.
"Don't you fairly detest going into business with that tyrant yonder ?" "What?
Yes--I beg your pardon!" he stammered.
"You were right," Mrs.Palmer said to her husband.

"You've bored him so, talking about thievish clerks, he can't even answer an honest question." But Russell was beginning to recover his outward composure.