To be utterly frank--and it is meet that one who has been what I have been should be humble and ready to confess--for many years I was the black sheep of the family, my name unmentioned.

But sometime since I was snatched a brand from the burning; I have remained silent about myself until I could give to my family, which had properly disowned me, a long record to prove my reformation.

I am now striving by my devotion to make some amends for my previous shortcomings." Jack stared incomprehensibly at this unexpected clerical brother of Matilda's, with his unquenchable volubility.

Mr.Pyecroft gazed back with appropriate humility, yet with a lofty self-respect.
Jack turned away with a shrug, and pointed at the dark figure of Mrs.
De Peyster.
"And who is that, Matilda ?" "That, sir," put in Mr.Pyecroft quickly, easily, to forestall any blunder by the hapless Matilda--and deftly interposing himself between Jack and Mrs.De Peyster, "that is our sister." "The one who lives in Syracuse ?" "Yes; and she is indisposed," said Mr.Pyecroft.

"Our sister Angelica Simpson Jones," he elaborated.