"0h, _I_ know," she exclaimed; and although she laughed with an effect ofcarelessness, that look which I had thought "far away" returned to hereyes as she spoke. There was a certain inscrutability about MissApperthwaite sometimes, it should be added, as if she did not like to betoo easily read. "I've heard all about it. Mr. Beasley's been appointedtrustee or something for poor Hamilton Swift's son, a pitiful littleinvalid boy who invents all sorts of characters. The very ancient dimy from overthere told our cook about Bill Hammersley and Simpledoria. So, you see,I comprehend."

"I'm glad you do," I exclaimed.