At the second milestone the boys pulled up short, and waved their hats to the guard, who had his watch out and shouted "4.56," thereby indicating that the mile had been done in four seconds under the five minutes. They passed several more parties of boys, all of them objects of the deepest interest to Tom, and came in sight of the town at ten minutes before twelve. Tom fetched a long breath, and thought he had never spent a pleasanter day. Before he went to bed he had quite settled that it must be the greatest day he should ever spend, and didn't alter his opinion for many a long year,—if he has yet.
FOOTNOTES
[1] Tally-ho: the cry with which huntsmen urge on their hounds; here, a name given to a fast coach.
[2] Boots: a servant in an inn who blacks boots, etc.
[3] Islington: a northern suburb of London.
[4] Post-chaise: a hired carriage.
[5] Belle Sauvage: a famous old inn, formerly in the centre of London.
[6] Star: the name of the coach which brought the Squire and Tom to London.
[7] Boxes: inclosed places for eating.
[8] Brown study: meditation without any particular object of thought.