"Why? Did she understand it?"
"No."
"Then why did she like it?"
"Because she did." This Answer made Mr. Fenwick laugh; but I must say I thought it very stupid. However, he went on, till within a few Verses of the End; when my Father walked in.
Mr. Fenwick, laying down the Book with that Cheerfulness and Self-Possession which so well became him, took the first Word, and said—
"Good Evening, Mr. Honeywood! Here am I, you see, reading to your good Wife and Daughters, and trying to prepare myself for Duty on a larger Scale."
"Sir, you do us honour," says my Father, quite civilly; "your Company must be an Honour to us at any Time, whenever you please to bestow it on us. Pray go on."
"Oh, we can wait a little While," says Mr. Fenwick. "Pray, is there any News stirring?"
"There's a Whale in the Thames," says my Father.
"Indeed!" cried we all.