290 MARTIN RATTLER.

and found that it was actually the grand-daughter of
the old kitten, which was still alive and well; so he
brought it back too, and formally installed it in the
cottage along with its grandchild.

There was a great house-warming on the night of
the day in which Aunt Dorothy Grumbit was brought
back. Myr. Arthur Jollyboy was there—of course ;
and the vicar was there; and the pursy doctor who
used to call Martin “a scamp ;” and the schoolmaster ;
and last, though not least, Barney O’Flannagan was
there. And they all had tea, during which dear
Aunt Dorothy smiled sweetly on everybody and said
nothing—and, indeed, did nothing, except that once
or twice she put additional sugar and cream into
Martin’s cup when he was not looking, and stroked
one of his hands continually. After tea Martin re-
lated his adventures in Brazil, and Barney helped
him; and these two talked more that night than any
one could have believed it possible for human beings
to do, without the aid of steam lungs! And the
doctor listened, and the vicar and schoolmaster ques-
tioned, and old Mr. Jollyboy roared and laughed till
he became purple in the face—particularly at the
sallies of Barney. As for old Aunt Dorothy Grumbit,
she listened when Martin spoke. When Martin was

silent she became stone deaf !