130 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

ways’ and Richardsons’ garden parties, and
lastly at our own only a fortnight ago?

To my horror she ranges up alongside of
me, while her husband walks beside Father
in front.

Now this good lady is deaf, very deaf, but
there is not a greater talker than she for miles
round, and as she cannot hear a syllable one
says she seems quite satisfied and content if
one lets her run on and only nods and smiles
in reply.

“A very hot day, my dear, is it not?”
remarks Mrs, F. as a commencement.

“Yes,” I reply, “it is hotter than ever
to-day.”

“ My dear, how can you say such a thing?”
remonstrates Mrs. Featherstone; “the ther-
mometer is higher to-day than it has been
for sixty years!”

I simply nod to this, as my last remark
was such a failure, and wait patiently for her
next observation,

“How is your dear mother to-day, my
dear?” she inquires at length.