“'Loftus, sir.'
“'Ely family?'
“'No, sir.'
“'Glad of it.'
“He put up his tablet after writing the name.
“'May I beg the favour to know, sir,' said Tom, 'to whom I have the honour of addressing myself?' “'Sir Arthur Wellesley, sir.'
“'Oh! J—-s!' cried Tom, 'I'm done!'
“Sir Arthur could not help laughing at the extraordinary change in Tom's countenance; and Tom, taking advantage of this relaxation in his iron manner, said in a most penitent tone, 'Oh, Sir Arthur Wellesley, only forgive me this time, and 'pon my sowl says he—with the richest brogue—'I'll play a Te Deum for the first licking you give the French.' Sir Arthur smiled and left the office.”
“Did he report as he threatened?” asked the Squire.
“'Faith, he did.”