"Greenleaf," said the old soldier, "why does Hilary forever walk as though he were bringing the best joke of the season? Can't you make him quit it?"
The nephew joined them: "Uncle, if you'd like to borrow my horse I can go by train."
That was a joke. "H-m-m! I see! No, Greenleaf's going by train. Would you like to ride with me?"
"Well, eh--ha! Why, uncle, I--why, of course, if Fred really--" They mounted and went.
"Hilary?"
"Yes, uncle?"
"How is it now? Like my girl any better?"
"Why--yes! Oh, she's fine! And yet I--"
"You must say? What must you say?"
"Nothing much; only that she's not the kind to seem like the owner of a field battery. My goodness! uncle, if she had half Miss Flora's tang--"