for instance, been for quite a long time in America,
and it was there that he had shed most of his Germanisms
of language. He was older than he looked,
and his son by a first marriage lived in Germany --
where, however, the young man was buyer for a
group of English firms who did a great deal of business
in cheap German-made goods.

His conversation with the odd-looking stranger
over, Mr. Hegner hurried back to where his valued
customer was standing. "Every one on the City
Council is being most kind," he said suavely. "And
last night I had the honour of meeting the Dean. At
his suggestion I am calling a little meeting this
evening, here in my Stores, of the non-naturalised
Germans of this town. There are a good many in
Witanbury."

And then Mrs. Otway suddenly remembered that
the man now standing opposite to her was a member
of the City Council. She remembered that some
time ago, three or four years back at least, some disagreeable
person had expressed indignation that an
ex-German, one only just naturalised, should be
elected to such a body. She had thought the speaker
narrow-minded and ill-natured. An infusion of German
thoroughness and thrift would do the City
Council good, and perhaps keep down the rates!

"But you, Mr. Hegner, have been naturalised quite
a long time," she said sympathetically.

"Yes, indeed, gracious lady!" Mr. Hegner seemed
surprised, perhaps a thought disturbed, by her natural
remark. "I took out my certificate before I built
the Stores, and just after I had married my excellent

[[40]]

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v?