CHAPTER XVII — THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER  

  CHAPTER XVIII — A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT        

  CHAPTER XIX — "WHAT WILL MY PEOPLE DO!"        

  CHAPTER XX — LOVE IN ABEYANCE  

  CHAPTER XXI — MR. BLITHERS ARRIVES IN GRAUSTARK  

  CHAPTER XXII — A VISIT TO THE CASTLE  

  CHAPTER XXIII — PINGARI'S  

  CHAPTER XXIV — JUST WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED  

  

  

       CHAPTER I — MR. AND MRS. BLITHERS DISCUSS MATRIMONY     

       "My dear," said Mr. Blithers, with decision, "you can't tell me."     

       "I know I can't," said his wife, quite as positively. She knew when she could tell him a thing and when she couldn't.     

       It was quite impossible to impart information to Mr. Blithers when he had the tips of two resolute fingers embedded in his ears. That happened to be his customary and rather unfair method of conquering her when an argument was going against him, not for want of logic on his part, but because it was easier to express himself with his ears closed than with them open. By this means he effectually shut out the voice of opposition and had the discussion all to himself. Of course, it would have been more convincing if he had been permitted to hear the sound of his own eloquence; still, it was effective.     

       She was sure to go on talking for two or three minutes and then subside in despair. A woman will not talk to a stone wall. Nor will she wantonly allow an argument to die while there remains the slightest chance of its survival. Given the 

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