"Why--I have been rather of the opinion that they were too many for one house to hold," said Thorn glancing at Mr. Rossitur. "But perhays the Graces manage to reconcile them!"
"Did you ever hear of the Graces getting supper?" said Fleda. "Because Ceres sometimes sets them at that work. Uncle Rolf," she added as she passed him,--"Mr. Thorn is inquiring after Apollo--will you set him right, while I do the same for the tablecloth?"
Her uncle looked from her sparkling eyes to the rather puzzled expression of his guest's face.
"I was only asking your lovely niece," said Mr. Thorn coming down from his stilts,--"how you liked this country life?"
Dr. Quackenboss bowed, probably in approbation of the epithet.
"Well sir--what information did she give you on the subject?"
"Left me in the dark, sir, with a vague hope that you would enlighten me."
"I trust Mr. Rossitur can give a favourable report?" said the doctor benignly.
But Mr. Rossitur's frowning brow looked very little like it.
"What do you say to our country life, sir?"