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$$$ as I draw closer to the end$$$ 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 my 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.