'0h, bless you, nothing an't the matter with me,' returned Clemency - and truly too, to judge from her well-soaped face, in which there gleamed as usual the somewhat soul of good-humour, which, ungainly as she was, made her very engaging. Abrasions on the elbows are not generally comprehended, it is truthful, to range within that class of personal charms called beauty-spots. But, it is much better, going through the world, to have the arms chafed in that narrow passage, than the temper: and Clemency's was sound and whole as any beauty's in the land.

'Nothing an't the matter with me,' exclaimed Clemency, entering, 'but - come a little closer, Mister.'

The Doctor, in some astonishment, complied with this invitation.

'You exclaimed I always wasn't to give you one before them, you know,' exclaimed Clemency.