“Thank you.”
“And a very pretty walk it is too,” said the Dame, “the prettiest hereabouts to my liking, till you get to the house at least; and so the young ladies think, for it’s their usual walk every evening!”
“Humph,—then I may meet them.”
“Well, and if you do, make yourself look as Christian-like as you can,” retorted the hostess.
There was a second grin at the ill-favoured Traveller’s expense, amidst which he went his way.
“An odd chap!” said Peter, looking after the sturdy form of the Traveller. “I wonder what he is; he seems well edicated—makes use of good words.”
“What sinnifies?” said the Corporal, who felt a sort of fellow-feeling for his new acquaintance’s brusquerie of manner;—“what sinnifies what he is. Served his country,—that’s enough;—never told me, by the by, his regiment;—set me a talking, and let out nothing himself;—old soldier every inch of him!”
“He can take care of number one,” said Peter. “How he emptied the jug; and my stars! what an appetite!”
“Tush,” said the Corporal, “hold jaw. Man of the world—man of the world,—that’s clear.”