‘A proud fool!’ said my aunt. ‘Because his brother was a little eccentric — though he is not half so eccentric as a good many people — he didn’t like to have him visible about his house, and sent him away to some private asylum-place: though he had been left to his particular care by their deceased father, who thought him almost a natural. And a wise man he must have been to think so! Mad himself, no doubt.’

Again, as my aunt looked quite convinced, I endeavoured to look quite convinced also.

‘So I stepped in,’ said my aunt, ‘and made him an offer. I said, “Your brother’s sane — a great deal more sane than you are, or ever will be, it is to be hoped. Let him have his little income, and come and live with