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"I should like to ask you:--Does your childhood seem far off? Do

the days when you sat at your mother's knee, seem days of very

long ago?"

Responding to his softened manner, Mr. Lorry answered:

"Twenty years back, yes; at this time of my life, no. For, as I

draw closer and closer to the end, I travel in the circle, nearer

and nearer to the beginning. It seems to be one of the kind

smoothings and preparings of the way. My heart is touched now, by

many remembrances that had long fallen asleep, of my pretty young

mother (and I so old!), and by many associations of the days when

what we call the World was not so real with me, and my faults

were not confirmed in me."

"I understand the feeling!" exclaimed Carton, with a bright

flush. "And you are the better for it?"

"I hope so."

Carton terminated the conversation here, by rising to help him on

with his outer coat; "But you," said Mr. Lorry, reverting to the

theme, "you are young."