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THE SICILLIAN CHAR-WOMAN

I TOOK LEAVE OF MY SORROWING FATHER

wonder is that they were not really worse than they were, and beyond the chance of any reformation.

'Each valued her own paltry and merely ornamental accomplishments at a far higher rate than my own well proved and certified skill in the serious art of charing, and in their own rude way they never missed an opportunity of reminding me of their fancied superiority.

'During these early years of trial no other consolation had I than the society of the youngest of the Leanmuffin brood—Basil Herbert, one who as yet 120