Page:Nid and Nod (IA nidnod00barb).pdf/353

 quaint town occupied by my dear sister-in-law shall revert. Thereupon, stupid that he was, my lawyer proceeds to write to my sister-in-law to that effect. The rest, sir, you know. Yet this lamentable news reached me but three days ago! 'What,' asks this lawyer, 'will you do with this property in Orstead, New York?'

"'What property do you speak of?' I ask him. He tells me then. I am overcome. I am frantic. 'Imbecile!' I shout. 'What have you done?' I come at once by the fastest of trains. I am here!"

"That—that was very nice of you," faltered Laurie, keeping his eyes carefully away from Ned.

"Nice! But what else to be done? For nothing at all would I have had it so happen, and so I hasten to make amends, to offer apologies to my dear wife's sister, to you, sir, to correct a so great mistake!"

"Certainly," assented Laurie hurriedly. "Of course. But what I don't understand is why the letter that Miss Comfort wrote to you didn't reach you, sir."

Mr. Goupil made a gesture of despair. "I