"How is my boy, Tom?" said the Major.
"And how is my girl, Tom?" said the Captain.
"Sam," said Tom, "is a sight worth a guinea, and Mrs. Samuel looks charming, but—In point of fact you know I believe she expects—"
"No!" said the Captain. "You don't say so."
"Fact, my dear sir."
"Dear me," said the Major, drumming on the table. "I hope it will be a b—. By the bye, how go the sheep?"
"You never saw such a country, sir!" said Tom. "We have got nearly five thousand on each run, and there is no one crowding up yet. If we can hold that ground with our produce, and such store-sheep as we can pick up, we shall do wonders."
By this time Tom was set at supper, and between the business of satisfying a hunger of fifteen hours, began asking after old friends.
"How are the Mayfords?" he asked.
"Poor Mrs. Mayford is better," said Mrs. Buckley. "She and Ellen are just starting for Europe. They have sold their station, and we have bought it."