rightly judged, Mr Harding, had he been so minded, might with as much propriety have set down his son–in–law for a fool. Few men, however, are constituted as was Mr Harding. He had that nice appreciation of the feelings of others which belongs of right exclusively to women.

Arm in arm they walked into the inner quadrangle of the building, and there the five old men met them. Mr Harding shook hands with them all, and then Mr Quiverful did the same. With Bunce Mr Harding shook hands twice, and Mr Quiverful was about to repeat the ceremony but the old man gave him no encouragement.

‘I am very glad to know that at last you have a new warden,’ said Mr Harding in a very cheery voice.

‘We be very old for any change,’ said one of them; ‘but we do suppose it be all for the best.’

‘Certainly—certainly, it is for the best,’ said Mr Harding. ‘You will again have a clergyman of your own church under the same roof with you, and a very excellent clergyman you will have. It is a great satisfaction to me to know that so good a man is coming to take care of you, and that it is no stranger, but a friend of my own, who will allow me from time to time to come in and see you.’

‘We be thankful to your reverence,’ said another of them.

‘I need not tell you, my good friends,’ said Mr Quiverful, ‘how extremely grateful I am to Mr Harding for his kindness to me,—I must say his uncalled for, his unexpected kindness.’

‘He be always very kind,’ said a third.

‘What I can do to fill the void which he left here, I will do. For your sake and my own I will do so, and especially for his sake. But to you who have known him, I can never be the same well–loved friend and father that he has been.’

‘No, no, sir,’ said old Bunce, who hitherto had held his peace; ‘no one can be that. Not if the new bishop sent a hangel to us from heaven. We doesn’t doubt you’ll do your best, sir, but you’ll not be like the old master; not to us old ones.’

‘Fie, Bunce, fie! how dare you talk in that way!’ said Mr Harding; but as he scolded the old man he still held him by his arm, and pressed it with warm affection.

There was no getting any enthusiasm in the matter. How could five old men tottering away to their final resting–place be enthusiastic on the reception of a stranger? What could Mr Quiverful be to them, or they to Mr Quiverful? Had Mr Harding indeed come back to them, some last flicker of joyous light might have shone forth on their aged cheeks; but it was in vain to bid them rejoice because Mr Quiverful was about to move his fourteen children from Puddingdale into the hospital house. In reality they did no doubt receive advantage, spiritual as well as corporal; but this they could neither anticipate nor acknowledge.

It was a dull affair enough, this introduction of Mr Quiverful; but still it had its effect. The good which Mr Harding intended did not fall to the ground. All the Barchester world, including the five old bedesmen, treated Mr Quiverful with the more respect, because Mr Harding had thus walked in arm in arm with him, on his first entrance to his duties.

And here in their new abode we will leave Mr and Mrs Quiverful and their fourteen children. May they enjoy the good things which Providence has at length given to them!