“How kind and thoughtful of that man! How truly bound he is to the colonel and myself!” murmured Alberta.
“He seems to be a very superior person, that Abershaw. Very superior to his condition, I mean,” said Elfie.
“There are several such among the devoted followers of the Free Sword,” proudly answered Alberta.
“And you—you are like a queen, with your court about you, here in the green wood,” continued Elfie.
“As you may be, if you like the sovereignty,” replied the chieftainess, who was now engaged in spreading the clean sheets and blankets, and placing the pillows upon the fragrant bed of dried leaves in her hut.
When this was done, she came out of the hut, and sat down with Elfie before the door.
And presently was seen approaching a small procession across the area.
First came Abershaw, with a table-cloth thrown over his right arm, and a sugar bowl hugged under his left; a teapot in one hand, and a milk jug in the other. After him followed Haddycraff with a large plate of bread and butter and a big dish of stewed rabbits. Behind them came another man, loaded with cups, saucers, plates, spoons, knives and forks.
When Abershaw reached the front of the hut, he spread the table-cloth over the ground, and arranged the supper upon it, and then dismissed his assistants, and remained to wait on the wife of his chief and her companion.
The two young women sat down to the feast.