An After Dinner Conversation.

ustice , they are really "as good as gold . " Jorum immediately brightened up , and hy this time we had reached the front door . So "in we walked and found Mrs .

Jorum in the library in a most becoming dress , who welcomed us both warmly , and myself most kindly . She was " quite pleased , " she said , " to see so old a friend of her husband's

again , and it was so good of me to come over , ' she did so like a chat . " At that moment tea was brought in , and Jorum to his horror , ( for he manfully eschewed tea ) saw me drink two cups of tea and dispose of two thick

slices of bread and butter . " Bless my soid , Tommy , " at last he said ; " remember dinner ' s at seven . " After a little while , the lady retired full of grace and benignity , as she said to "Baby" and after a few moments

, more Jorum took me up to my room , for he said " You will like to know where you are going to hang out . " " Ah , " he said , " it does me good to see you , Tommy , my boy , once more ; it does so put me in mind of the ' days

that we went gipsying , ' and a good many other things besides , old fellow , ' a long time , ' yes a very long time 'ago . ' Having shewn me into a most comfortable-looking room , which by the way I had often slept in under the

" ancien regime , " he left me , evidently pleased , but still a little worried about something . I was soon in my dressing gown and slippers before a snug fire , and had a comfortable snooze until Thomas came

m with the hot water and things to dress , at 6 . 30 . Boused up by his entrance and the dressing bell , I ( as our mutual friend Horsey Johnson is so fond of saying ) , "titivated myself up , " and walked into

the pretty drawing-room as the clock struck seven . When I got there , I found Jorum and Mrs . J . in an animated conversation ^ she uncommonly well dressed , and looking particularly pleasant and genial ,

and I excused Jorum from that moment and for ever more . I Dinner was now announced , and in ; I walked with my fair hostess . The dinner itself was Al , everything was in perfection , but somehow

something seemed " out of joint , " with my good friend the host . He said very little , and looked " distrait , " whereas she was full of conversation and chaff too , and abounding in amiability .

" A very superior woman , " I mentally exclaimed , " Jorum evidently misunderstands her , just as some husbands j don't perfectly appreciate their wives . " ! But my good friend kept looking most unhappy until the lady gracefully

retired , saying as she left us , " I expect you two gentlemen to coffee , remember , in half-an-hour . " A . s soon as the bright vision had , departed and left us in comparative gloom , old Jorum said to me

confidentially , looking at me at the same time , "Charming creature , Tommy . I am a very lucky fellow !" " Charming indeed , " I answered him , " and so agreeable , warm-hearted , and well-infornied . "

" So she is , my boy , poured out old Jorum , in voluble words , " so she is , my boy ; but do you know the reason why ? do you know the reason why ? Her dear mother is not here . " And here

Jorum chuckled , and winked suspiciously and sagely at me . " Tommy , my boy , " he added immediately afterwards , solemnly , " I really can't do with that clear mother of Iter ' s any longer . I can't , no , I can't . There

never was such a woman for hearing her own voice and having her own way . She bullies my wife , she bullies her daughters , she bullies her maid , she bullies the servants , she bullies the nurseshe bullies the babyand I ' m

, , blessed if she don't try and bully me . Eveiybody ' s afraid of her . Now , you see , my wife is quite a different being when her clear mother ain ' t here ; she is what she really is , an angel in petticoats . But what can I do , Tommy ? "