"Here," explained the landlady, "we are not wildly gay, as the serious aspect of life prevents our indulging in unrestrained mirth. Each one of us is devoted to an ideal, Mr. Spruce." "And what is the ideal, Mrs. Tesk?" asked the twinkling little man who was proposing himself as a boarder. "The intention of gaining wealth in virtuous ways, by exercising the various talents with which we have been endowed by an All-seeing Providence." "If you eliminate the word 'virtuous,' most people have some s