\'Yes；quiteso，\'saidStephen。
\'Totellyouthetruth，\'hecontinuedinthesameundertone，\'wedon\'tmakearegularthingofit；butwhenwehavestrangersvisitingus，Iamstronglyofopinionthatitistheproperthingtodo，andIalwaysdoit。Iamverystrictonthatpoint。Butyou，Smith，thereissomethinginyourfacewhichmakesmefeelquiteathome；nononsenseaboutyou，inshort。Ah，itremindsmeofasplendidstoryIusedtohearwhenIwasahelter-skelteryoungfellow——suchastory!But\'——herethevicarshookhisheadself-forbiddingly，andgrimlylaughed。
\'Wasitagoodstory？\'saidyoungSmith，smilingtoo。
\'Ohyes；but\'tistoobad——toobad!Couldn\'ttellittoyoufortheworld!\'
Stephenwentacrossthelawn，hearingthevicarchucklingprivatelyattherecollectionashewithdrew。