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Rh down, and one pound a week for life, which must reach me here not later than Friday four times a month, and a pound a week for her grace the Duchess, my wife.’"

The Duchess appeared about to make some remark, and opened her capacious mouth, which, after a moment's thought, she closed with a snap.

"That's two pounds a week," said old Stover.

"Exactly."

"Well, it seems to me it should all be paid to the head of the family," he growled.

"You drunken sot!" exclaimed his angry wife, but Tom Pitts held up his hand.

"I'm quite agreeable to that," he said. "Schoolmaster, make the two pounds payable to Mrs. Stover."

"‘The head of the house,' I said," roared Ned, so enraged that he broke the stem of his pipe.

"That's the way I'm putting it, Ned," and everyone present laughed, except the two persons concerned, and the innkeeper, who wished to keep friends with all parties.

"How have you written it, schoolmaster?"

"I've put it down, Mr. Pitts, as you first dictated it. One pound to Mr. Stover, and one to Mrs. Stover."

"Then I think we'll let it stand that way as fair to all parties. We've got those London people on the run, so don't you think, Mrs. Stover, it's better to