Now, to do Sir Peter justice, he had meant to keep that little bit of

gossip entirely to himself, for solitary gloating over and nibbling.

But when an old gentleman has spent all his life uttering melancholy

platitudes, and is suddenly delivered of a joke--of two jokes--it is a

little hard to expect him to hide his light under a bushel. He could have

buried scandal in his breast forever, but to put an extinguisher on the

sparks of his playful fancy--no, these things are beyond a man's control.

And as the idea of the goose, with all its subtle humor, sank deeper and

deeper into Sir Peter's mind, he was irresistibly tempted to impart it to

Lady Morley (in strict confidence). Such a joke as that ought not to be

kept to himself to live and die with him; it would hardly be kind to Lady

Morley. She would appreciate it.

She did appreciate it. So did Miss Batchelor, to whom she also told the

story (in strict confidence). So did everybody whom Miss Batchelor may or

may not have confided in. And when the thing became public property, Sir

Peter wished he had restrained his sense of humor.




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