d with a hand-bell and rang to dinner. Brother Biscoe was a charming old man to look upon; very frail and venerable, with a somewhat weak face; and as senior pensioner of

as soon as the Master emerged from his lodging with the other Trustees and a few distinguished guests-including the Bishop of Merchester, Visitor of St. Hospital-on their way to dine. The proce

or him, begged him to note it-they were none so dilatory. But gossip held them. His shrewd glan

" he murmured. "For a look at

t Warboise will do," quavered

nd Ibbetson only.… And Ibbetson's only there because his wife has more appetising fish to fry. But she's keep

e support," suggested Brother Biscoe. "Royle told me

s answered sweetly; "and just for the

arm the old man, whos

t drinker like Plant, for instance! And you

have nothing t

glance. "He's more pleasantly occupied,

as imperturbably; "though I hav

ely you'

onaday, you'd best hold your t

ndred Men's Hall. The three paused, just outside-the Nurse and Corona to await the procession of Visitors, due now at any moment. Brother Bonaday stood and blink

"That's all we women are allowed; while you-Branny say

st have observ

and smiled at her, l

go to the service. She said I must be tired after my journey. So I went to the lodge instead and made friends with Brother Manby. I didn't," said Corona candidly, "make very good we

rother Copas in s

heir h's; but Brother Manby was the first I'd heard doing it, and it seemed

Copas

see, you've taken us at unawares more

u can't think how naturally Brother Manby went on dropping them; till by and by he told me what a mort of A

ows regarded the young face. It w

it was a long way, and please would he hurry up with the brea

spent the forenoon drinking

ke the bubbling of wa

The tiredest traveller wouldn't ask for crushed ice to it,

publicans and teetotallers agreed to require that beer supplied gratis in the name of charity must be innocuous and unenticing. But at this moment Brother Manby signalled fr

e Branscome stepped across to the child and stood by her, whispering the names of the dignitaries as they drew near. The dear l

Yeo, the Mayor of Merchester. That's

dangerous?"

ce, dear. It's the

let our grafters run loose. But who's the tall one next to him?

was p

is hands so." Corona put her two pal

s-all of his ancestors. He's Sir John Shaftesbury, and he's pricked for High Sheriff next year. One

pressed together ecstatically. "And does

the straw-coloured gloves, that's Mr. Bamberger;

t again,

looked up,

iament for Merchester; i

oing to pretend he isn't, anyway. I'm going to pretend

the rest of the Trustees,

ishop's chaplain b

od at the foot of the stairway, and leaned there on his staff. His face was pale, his jaw set squ

the Brethren desire you as Vi

n by surprise. "Tut-tut-my good War

no disrespect to you, that have always ruled St. Hospital l

ent dubiously, holding it

ipline?" he asked, t

matter!" answered Brother Warboise, lifting his voi

perceived the womenkind gathered around their doorways, listening. Nothing of the sort h

nsive way of obtruding it. At this moment, sir, we are going together to dine and to thank God for many mercies vouchsafed to us. If you have any

ed forward and mounted the staircase, Brother Warboise stumping after it at a little distance, scowling as h

Hundred Men's Hall the Bret

opas, and stood forth ready to deliver the Latin grac

s had once observed, "the market-price of Latinity in England will ens

lberico de Albo Monaste

aused, and the Breth

o de Bello Cam

rother Copas dwelt on th

, tuisque donis, quae de tua benignitate percepturi sumu

as his turn was, to direct and apportion the helpings. He bowed to the dignitar

his seat. "You and I will have to take a slice o

e to him, it was the back. Brother Warboi

"you and I this day have raised a couple

said, but guessed that something unusual was happening. A glance at the two or three groups of women conf

dressed happened

er Warboise doing j

er shoulders, and tu

al," said she with a sniff, "than eve

yle," agreed Mrs. Ibbetson, fixing

d Nurse Branscome candidly; "thoug