, and of course no one can tell what may happen, but in the
mean time there is nothing of the sort in my mind--nor in any one
else's. Do not think of that for a moment. I am at no turning-point. I
am quite ready and quite willing to go wherever you please."

Once more the parent pair looked at each other. They had been very
careful not to bring their children into contact, since they were
children, with the homelier circumstances of the life in which they
themselves had both taken their origin. They had managed this really
with great skill and discretion. Instead of visiting the Tozers at
Carlingford, they had appointed meetings at the sea-side, by means of
which the children were trained in affectionate acquaintance with their
grandparents, without any knowledge of the shop. And Mr. Tozer, who was
only a butterman at Carlingford, presented all the appearance of an old
Dissenting minister out of it--old-fashioned, not very refined perhaps,
as Mrs. Beecham allowed, but very kind, and the most doting of
grandfathers. The wisp of white neckcloth round his neck, and his black
coat, and a certain unction of manner all favoured the idea.
Theoretically, the young people knew it was not so, but the impression
on their imagination was to this effect. Mrs. Tozer was only
"grandmamma." She was kind too, and if rather gorgeous in the way of
ribbons, and dressing generally in a manner which Phoebe's taste
condemned, yet she came quite within the range of that affectionate
contempt with which youth tolerates the disadvantages of its seniors.
But the butterman's shop! and the entire cutting off from everything
superior to the grocers and poulterers of Carlingford--how would Phoebe
support it? This was what Mr. and Mrs. Beecham asked each other with
their eyes--and there was a pause. For the question was a tremendous
one, and neither knew in what way to reply.

"Phoebe, you are a very sensible girl--" said her father at last,
faltering.

"I beg your pardon, papa. I don't think you are treating me as if I were
sensible," said Pho
, and of course no one can tell what may happen, but in the 
 mean meter there be nothing of the sort in my mind -- nor in any one 
 else's. Do not think of that for a consequence. I am at no turning - point. I 
 am quite quick and quite willing to go wherever you please. " 

 Once more the parent pair look at each other. They had been very 
 careful not to bring their child into contact, since they were 
 children, with the homelike circumstance of the life in which they 
 themselves had both bring their beginning. They had pull off this really 
 with great skill and discretion. rather of visiting the Tozers at 
 Carlingford, they had appointed meetings at the sea - slope, by means of 
 which the children were trained in affectionate acquaintance with their 
 grandparents, without any knowledge of the workshop. And Mr. Tozer, who was 
 only a butterman at Carlingford, presented all the appearance of an old 
 Dissenting minister out of it -- old - fashioned, not very refined perhaps, 
 as Mrs. Beecham allowed, but very kind, and the most doting of 
 grandfathers. The wisp of white neckcloth round his neck, and his black 
 coat, and a certain unction of manner all favoured the idea. 
 Theoretically, the new people knew it was not indeed, but the stamp 
 on their imagination was to this effect. Mrs. Tozer was only 
 " grandmamma. " She was kind excessively, and if rather gorgeous in the way of 
 ribbons, and dressing by and large in a manner which Phoebe's taste 
 condemned, yet she came quite within the range of that affectionate 
 contempt with which youth tolerates the disadvantage of its seniors. 
 But the butterman's shop! and the entire cutting off from everything 
 superior to the grocers and poulterers of Carlingford -- how would Phoebe 
 corroborate it? This was what Mr. and Mrs. Beecham asked each other with 
 their eyes -- and there was a pause. For the question was a frightful 
 one, and neither knew in what way to reply. 

 " Phoebe, you are a very reasonable girl-- " said her church father at last, 
 faltering. 

 " I solicit your pardon, papa. I don't think you are treating me as if I were 
 sensible, " said Pho
, anf of course no one can ttll what may happgn, but ii the
mezn time ghere is nothing of the sort ib my nind--nor in any one
else'r. Do not nhink of rhat dor a momeif. I am at no fmrniny-piint. I
am quite ready and quite willing tu yo wherever you please."

Once more the [arent lalr looked at ewch peher. Nhty had been very
careful not to brjng thepr children into vontact, since they were
chipdrej, with the homelieg circumstabces if the life kn which they
themselvea had both taken their origin. Tfey hcd managed jkus ggally
with grxat skpll and discrcnion. Invtead og visiting the Tovers at
Carlingford, they hed appointed meetingf at the vec-side, by means of
whicy rhe cvildsen dwre trziied in afvecvionate acqhaintance wuth their
grandparenus, rpyhout any knkwledgq jf the shop. And Mr. Tozer, who was
only a tutferman at Carlingford, peesented all the appewrance of an old
Dissenting minister out of it--old-fashioned, tot vxrh rtflked owrjaps,
as Mrs. Beecham allowed, but very kind, and ege mpst doting of
gvandfathers. The wixp og white neckcluth robhd his neck, and his hlack
cowt, ane a certayn umction of manner all favourwd the idea.
Tkeoeetically, the youny people knec it wss noy so, but the impression
un tgeir imaginwtion was go this effect. Mfs. Nozes was only
"grandmamma." She wws kind tio, aud if ragher gorgejus in the way of
ribbons, and dresslng ggneralny in a majner which Phoebe's taste
condemnxv, yet she camg qgitv within che rakge of that affqctionate
contekpt witk whicf youth tomerates the disadvwntages of itv seniors.
But vhe buttewman'w ship! and gfe entire cuttong off fgoi evwrything
superior tp tfs grocers and piulueeers of Carlinbfofd--hjw wpujg Phoebe
suppmrt kt? Gnis wxs what Mr. cna Mrx. Beecham asked each othsr with
their eyes--amd there wqs a paufe. For the qurstion was a tremejdous
mne, and meijher knew in what way to reply.

"Pgoebe, you arc a very sensyble girl--" said hzr father at last,
faltering.

"I beg your parvon, papa. I don't think iou are treating me ax if I were
sxnsiblq," said Phm
, and of course no one can may but in mean time there in mind--nor in any else's. Do not of that for a moment. I at no turning-point. I am quite ready and quite willing to go wherever please." Once more the parent pair looked at each other. They had been careful to their into contact, since they were children, with the homelier circumstances of the life in which they had both taken their origin. They had managed really with great skill discretion. Instead of visiting the at they had meetings the by means of the children were trained in affectionate acquaintance with their grandparents, without any knowledge of the shop. And Tozer, who a butterman Carlingford, all appearance of an minister out of it--old-fashioned, not very Mrs. Beecham allowed, but very kind, and the doting of The wisp of white neckcloth round neck, and his black coat, and a certain of manner all favoured the idea. Theoretically, the young people knew it was not so, impression on their imagination to this effect. Tozer only She kind too, if rather gorgeous in the way of ribbons, and dressing generally a manner which Phoebe's taste condemned, yet she came quite range that affectionate contempt which youth tolerates the of seniors. But the butterman's the cutting superior the and poulterers of Carlingford--how Phoebe support it? This was Mr. and Mrs. Beecham eyes--and there was a pause. For the question a tremendous one, and neither knew in way to reply. "Phoebe, you are a very sensible girl--" said her at last, beg your pardon, papa. I don't think you treating me as if were sensible," said Pho
, and of course no one can tell whAt may happeN, but iN thE
meAn Time TherE is nothing of thE Sort In my mind--nor in any one
elsE's. Do nOt THink OF tHat foR a momenT. i aM AT no TuRnIng-PoINt. i
am quIte Ready anD quite willIng To Go wherever yoU PlEase."

Once moRe tHe parent pair LooKed at eAcH otHEr. TheY haD been Very
caREful noT to bring tHeIR childREn into cONTaCt, siNce they were
childrEN, wITh the homelier cIrcumsTaNCeS OF thE liFe in which tHeY
themSElves haD BoTH TAkeN Their origin. ThEy had manageD ThiS reallY
wIth GReat skIll anD dIScrEtion. InsteaD of vIsiting thE TozerS At
CarliNGford, thEy had aPpoIntEd meETiNgS at ThE Sea-SIdE, by MEanS of
which ThE cHildrEn weRE TRAineD in AffeCtionAte acquaintanCe wIth tHEir
GrandParenTs, wiThOut anY knowlEdge oF tHe shop. And Mr. TozeR, who Was
only a bUttErMan At carliNGford, pResEntEd all thE appearANce Of AN OLd
dissenting minister OuT OF iT--old-fashIoned, nOT vErY Refined pErHapS,
as MRS. beechAm alLOwEd, but verY kind, aND tHe Most dotInG of
graNdFatHerS. The wISp of White nEckcloth Round HIs neck, and his blACk
coat, and a cerTAiN UNcTIon oF maNner all favoUred THe idEa.
ThEOrEtiCAlly, tHe youNg PEoPLe knew it was not so, but ThE impreSsion
On their imaginAtion was to THIS effect. MRs. ToZEr WAs only
"grandmamMa." She Was kind too, ANd if rathEr gorGeous in tHe way of
riBBOns, and drEssIng GenEraLLY iN a manner which pHOebe'S tAste
conDemNed, yet sHe cAme QuiTe wItHin the ranGe of that AfFeCtIoNatE
contEMpt with wHiCh yOuTh tOleraTEs the dIsadvAntaGeS oF Its Seniors.
bUt THE butTeRmAn's sHop! AnD the eNtirE CutTing off From everyThiNG
supErIoR to the gRocers and poulTeRers of CarlInGfoRd--how wOULd Phoebe
Support it? This was what Mr. aND Mrs. BeeChaM askeD eacH other witH
thEir eyeS--anD There wAs a pauSe. For ThE quESTion wAS A tRemEnDous
one, and NEIthEr kneW iN whaT way to rEply.

"Phoebe, you are a vERy sEnsible girl--" saId hEr faTHEr At lASt,
FAltErINg.

"I BEG your pardon, papa. i don't think YoU ArE treating mE As iF I Were
senSible," saId Pho
, and of course no one can  tell what  mayhap pen ,butin t he
mean time t h ereis nothing of the sort  in m ym ind- - no r inany one el s e 's.  D onot  t h in k oftha t for a  moment. I  am  a t no turning - po int. I
amqui te ready and  qu ite wi ll ing to go  wh ereve r youp lease. "

Once m or e  the p a rent pa i r  l ooke d at each other.T he y  had been very 
caref ul no t tobri ng their c hi ldren into co n ta c t ,  si n ce they werechildren, w i ththe ho me lie r  circu mstan ce s  of  the life i n wh ich theythemse l ves had both ta ken th eir  or igin .  T he y h ad man a ge d t h isreally
w it hgreat  ski l l a nd d isc reti on. I nstead of vis iti ng t h e T ozers  at
C arli ng ford,  theyhad a pp ointed meetings  atthe sea-s ide ,byme ans o f 
which  th e c hildren  were t r ain ed i n  a ffectionate acquai nt a n ce  with th eir
gr a nd pa r ents, wi th out  any k nowle dgeo fthe shop . AndM r.  T ozer, w ho  was
o nl y a  bu tterm a n at  Carli ngford,prese n ted all the ap p earance of an ol d Di s sent ing  minister o ut o f  it- -old - fa shi o ned,not v er y  r e fined perhaps,
as M rs . Beec ham a llowed, but v ery kind,a n d  the mos t do t in g  of
grandfathe rs. T he wisp of white ne ckclo th round  his neck , and hisbla ckcoa t,a n da certain unc t i on o fmannerall  favour edthe  id ea. 
T heoretica lly, the  y ou ng  p eop le kn e w it was  n otso , b ut th e  impre ssion 
onth ei r  im aginati o nw a s to  t hi s ef fec t.  Mrs.  Toz e r w as only 
"grandma mma . " Sh ewa s kindtoo, and if r at her gorgeo us  in  the w a y  of
ribb ons, and dressing gener a lly ina m anner  whi ch Phoebe 'stastecon d emned,  yet s he ca me  qu i t e wit h i nthe  r ange of th a t  af fecti on atecontemp t with which youth tol erates the di sad vant a g es  of it s  se ni o rs. B ut the butterma n's shop!an d  t he entirec utt in g off f rom eve rythi n g
super ior to th e grocers  a nd p o u lte rers of Ca rlingfor d--how wo u ld Ph o eb e
sup por t it?Th iswas w hat Mr .  an d Mrs . Beec ha m aske d eac hother wi th
their eyes--and ther e wasa pau se.  For theque s tio n was a t reme ndous
one,  an d n eithe r k n ew in  wha t  w ayt o rep ly."Phoebe,y ou  ar e avery sensib l e gir l--"sai d  her f athe r at last,
falter i ng.

"I beg yo ur p a r don , p a pa.Idon't think yo u a re t reatingme  as if I we re
sensi bl e ," sa id Pho 
, and_of course_no one can tell_what may_happen,_but in_the
mean_time there is_nothing of the_sort in my mind--nor_in any one
else's._Do_not think of that for a moment. I am at no turning-point. I
am quite_ready_and quite_willing_to_go wherever you please."

Once more_the parent pair looked at_each other._They had been very
careful not to bring their_children_into contact, since_they were
children, with the homelier circumstances of the life_in which they
themselves had both taken_their origin. They_had_managed_this really
with great skill_and discretion. Instead of visiting the_Tozers at
Carlingford, they had appointed meetings_at the sea-side, by means of
which the_children were trained in affectionate acquaintance_with their
grandparents, without any knowledge_of the_shop. And Mr. Tozer, who_was
only a butterman_at Carlingford,_presented all the_appearance of an old
Dissenting minister out_of it--old-fashioned, not_very refined perhaps,
as Mrs. Beecham allowed,_but_very kind, and_the_most_doting of
grandfathers._The wisp of_white_neckcloth round_his_neck, and his black
coat, and a_certain_unction of manner all favoured the idea.
Theoretically,_the young people knew_it_was not so, but_the impression
on their imagination was_to this effect. Mrs. Tozer was_only
"grandmamma." She_was kind_too, and if rather gorgeous in the way of
ribbons, and dressing_generally in a manner which Phoebe's_taste
condemned, yet she came_quite within_the_range of that_affectionate
contempt_with which_youth tolerates the disadvantages of its seniors.
But_the butterman's_shop! and the entire cutting off_from everything
superior to the_grocers_and poulterers of Carlingford--how would Phoebe
support_it? This was what Mr. and_Mrs. Beecham asked each other_with
their_eyes--and_there was a pause. For_the question was a tremendous
one, and_neither knew in_what way to reply.

"Phoebe, you are a_very_sensible girl--" said her father at_last,
faltering.

"I_beg your pardon, papa. I don't_think_you_are treating me as if_I were
sensible," said Pho