condescending even to poor Dick, who is simple and knows nothing. I have sent his name up, on a scrap of paper, to the kite, along the string, when it has been in the sky, among the larks.

The kite has been glad to receive it, sir, and the sky has been brighter with it.’

I delighted him by saying, most heartily, that the Doctor was deserving of our best respect and highest esteem.

‘And his beautiful wife is a star,’ said Mr. Dick. ‘A shining star. I have seen her shine, sir. But,’ bringing his chair nearer, and laying one hand upon my knee — ‘clouds, sir — clouds.’

I answered the solicitude which his face expressed, by conveying the same expression into my own, and shaking my head.