"Sudden death of Alderman Bloor in London. What price that?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Nellie. "How shocked father will be! They were always rather friendly. By the way, I had a letter from mother this morning. It appears as if Toronto was a sort of paradise. But you can see the old thing prefers Bursley. Father 's had a boil on his neck, just at the edge of his collar. He says it's because he 's too well. What did Mr. Bloor die of?"
"He was in the fashion," said Denry.
"How?"
"Appendicitis, of course. Operation—domino! All over in three days."
"Poor man!" Nellie murmured, trying to feel sad for a change, and not succeeding. "And he was to have been mayor in November, was n't he? How disappointing for him!"
"I expect he 's got something else to think about," said Denry.
After a pause Nellie asked suddenly:
"Who'll be mayor—now?"
"Well," said Denry, "his Worship, Councillor Barlow, J. P., will be extremely cross if he is n't."