Mr. Brogden, City Clerk

d over from ----" he named the station, "and now I shall ramble back and catch an evening train for London."

Mr. Lamb ventured a suggestion.

"I wish I could persuade you to take the other direction, and walk with us to Dippingham. The roads are delightful. There are local trains by which you could reach Swindon."

"Oh, with the greatest pleasure!"

So the trio left the inn. To Dippingham was a walk of about seven miles; they made of it a leisurely ramble, which occupied the time from half-past two to half-past six on this bright summer afternoon.

When they drew near to the little town, Mr. Lamb begged that his friend would walk as far as the vicarage. There would be no difficulty in reaching Swindon in time for the last up train. Heedless of everything but his ecstatic illusion, Brogden cheerfully consented, and to the vicarage they bent their steps.

They were received by Mrs. Lamb, a homely gentlewoman, and her widowed sister, mother of the boy. As dinner was ready, Br