" You are very kind," replied Mr. Blandy. " But to re-
turn to Dr. Keene. It may be a grand and gratifjdng thing
for him to show the nest eventually to the scientiflc men of
London, for I see his aim; but can that compensate for the
nights of agony that family have endured, when the poor
children found the hornets in their little portion of coarse
food; or beds — such as they are— or trowsers. It is too bad I
— now, is it not?"

"The Stiles are equally wretched," said Miss Twinch,
trying to edge off from the incipient attack upon Dr. Keenei
for the doctor was a kind of link between all the classeei of



f&E POTTLEtOS LEQACT. 181

Pottletoii joCietj; and by bringing different sets closer toge-
ther, like the connecting screw of a train, often prevented
much oscillation and getting off respective lines. Besides,
Dr. Keene put all his law business into her brother's hands,
" The Stiles, are equally wretched."

" Quite as bad," responded Mr. Blandy. " I believe those
children are sent into bad localities to catch the fever, and
excite sympathy. They are always in the pigsties, or the
drained ponds at The Court, or at contagious funerals."

As Mr. Blandy waa speaking, a burst of laughter from the
tea-room, rather louder than had as yet characterized the
proceedings, diverted their attention.
"Dear, me!" exclaimed Miss Martha; what is that singular
noise?"

Mr. Blandy offered to escort her to find out, and taking hia
arm, they walked off together. "When they entered the room,
the lady found, to her surprise, that an acquaintance had
arrived.
