EARLY LIFE 27 



To all these questions we gave no answer. 



"Come along with me," he said, "I want to 

 see your faces in the light." 



There were no means of escape and so we fol- 

 lowed and were ushered into his drawing room 

 where his good lady and two of his daughters 

 were sitting. We were in a sorry plight; our 

 clothes, hands and faces covered with dirt, in 

 our two successive falls in the garden. 



"My dear," said the old gentleman, "here are 

 two nice boys I wish to introduce to you, but I 

 don't know their names," and turning to us he 

 said, "Will you please give them'?" 



We picked up a little courage, and muttered 

 our names. 



"Ha! Ha! Thanks. Now let me ask you again 

 what were you looking for in my garden?" We 

 had to confess that the melon patch was the cen- 

 tre of attraction. 



"Why, my dear boys, if that is all you want, 

 why don't you come and asK me for some. I will 

 supply you with all you can eat, and your friends 

 also," and to make us feel sure of his good in- 

 tentions towards us, addressing one of his daugh- 

 ers, he said: "Martha, go and get a nice melon 

 for these young gentlemen." She soon returned 

 with a fine ripe melon and two beautiful porce- 

 lain plates, and helped us each to a good large 

 slice. "Now boys," said the Doctor, "Don't be 

 bashful, eat all you wish, we have lots to spare." 



