“I’ve often wondered,” said Mr. Middleton, “what ’twas ailded Sunshine when she was sick.  She didn’t seem to have no disease in particular, and I reckon nothin’s on her mind, for all’s straight between her and Dr. Lacey, as far as I know.”

“Dr. Lacey!” repeated Frank, without knowing what he said.

“Yes, Dr. Lacey; know him?” asked Mr. Middleton.

“No, sir,” answered Frank, and Ashton rejoined, “I imagine he wishes Fanny had never known him.”

Mr. Middleton turned, and for a moment regarded Frank intently.  Frank stood the inspection manfully, and Mr. Middleton said, “You are from New York, hey?  I like New Yorkers, and if Sunshine wasn’t promised to Dr. Lacey and never had seen him, and I liked you, I’d as soon you’d have her as anybody.”

Mr. Stafford now said that he was acquainted with Dr. Lacey, and proceeded to speak of the pleasant time he had spent with him.  This occupied the time until dinner was ready.

“Come, haul up,” said Mr. Middleton, “haul up; we didn’t expect so many to dinner, but the old table’ll stretch and you must set clus; but don’t none of you step on my corns, for thunder’s sake!”

Frank thought if his host kept on talking he should not be able to eat for laughing, but the old man was but just getting into the merits of the case!

When his guests were seated, he said to Mr. Stafford, “Your white neck cloth looks like you might belong to the clergy.  If you do, you can say a short prayer over the eggs and bacon, but Lord’s sake be spry, for I’m blarsted hungry!”

But for the remembrance of his promise to Fanny, Mr. Stafford would have screamed.  It is needless to say that he declined his host’s invitation, and the company began their dinner.

Suddenly Mr. Stafford asked if Mr. Middleton had any brothers.

“Yes—­no, or, that is, I had one once,” answered Mr. Middleton, “but he’s deader than a door nail afore this, I reckon.”

“And what makes you think he is dead?” asked Stafford.

“Why, you see,” returned Mr. Middleton, “when our old pap died, something in the will stuck crossways in Bill’s swaller, and he left college and put to sea, and I hain’t heard from him in fifteen years.”

“Did he look like you?” said Raymond.

“He was four years younger than I,” answered Mr. Middleton, “but no more like me than Sunshine’s pet kitten is like our old watch dog, Tige.  He was soft like in his ways and took to book larnin mightily, and I’m—­but everybody knows what old Josh is.  Hold on thar!  Save the pieces!” said he to Frank, who, unable longer to restrain his mirth, had deluged his plate with coffee.

“Pray excuse me,” said Frank, mortified beyond measure at his mishap.

His discomfiture was, however, somewhat relieved by his companions, all of whom burst into a fit of laughter, in which Mr. Stafford heartily joined, forgetful of his promise to Fanny.  By this time dinner was over and the company repaired to the porch, where Ashton and Raymond betook themselves to their cigars, while Mr. Middleton puffed away at his old cob pipe.