Volume I Part 23 (1/2)

'”But half in his arms, and half at his stirrup, he bore me right forth, And pitched me among my old comrades: before I could tell south from north, He caught my hand up, and kissed it! Don't ever let any man speak A word against Frenchmen, I near him! I can't find his name, tho' I seek.

But French, and a General, surely he was, and, G.o.d bless him! thro'

him I've learnt to love a whole nation.”' The ancient man paused, winking dim.

XXIV

A curious look, half woeful, was seen on his face as he turned His eyes upon each of his children, like one who but faintly discerned His old self in an old mirror. Then gathering sense in his fist, He sounded it hard on his knee-cap. 'Your hand, Tom, the French fellow kissed!

He kissed my boy's old pounder! I say he's a gentleman!' Straight The letter he tossed to one daughter; bade her the remainder relate.

XXV

Tom properly stated his praises in facts, but the lady preferred To deck the narration with brackets, and drop her additional word.

What n.o.bler Christian natures these women could boast, who, 'twas known, Once spat at the name of their nephew, and now made his praises their own!

The letter at last was finished, the hearers breathed freely, and sign Was given, 'Tom's health!'--Quoth the farmer: 'Eh, Miss? are you weak in the spine?'

XXVI

For Mary had sunk, and her body was shaking, as if in a fit.

Tom's letter she held, and her thumb-nail the month when the letter was writ Fast-dinted, while she hung sobbing: 'O, see, Sir, the letter is old!

O, do not be too happy!'--'If I understand you, I'm bowled!'

Said Grandfather Bridgeman, 'and down go my wickets!--not happy!

when here, Here's Tom like to marry his General's daughter--or widow--I'll swear!

XXVII

'I wager he knows how to strut, too! It's all on the cards that the Queen Will ask him to Buckingham Palace, to say what he's done and he's seen.

Victoria's fond of her soldiers: and she's got a nose for a fight.

If Tom tells a cleverish story--there is such a thing as a knight!

And don't he look roguish and handsome!--To see a girl snivelling there - By George, Miss, it's clear that you're jealous'--'I love him!' she answered his stare.

XXVIII

'Yes! now!' breathed the voice of a woman.--'Ah! now!' quiver'd low the reply.

'And ”now”'s just a bit too late, so it's no use your piping your eye,'

The farmer added bluffly: 'Old Lawyer Charlworth was rich; You followed his instructions in kicking Tom into the ditch.

If you're such a dutiful daughter, that doesn't prove Tom is a fool.

Forgive and forget's my motto! and here's my grog growing cool!'

XXIX

'But, Sir,' Mary faintly repeated: 'for four long weeks I have failed To come and cast on you my burden; such grief for you always prevailed!

My heart has so bled for you!' The old man burst on her speech: 'You've chosen a likely time, Miss! a pretty occasion to preach!'

And was it not outrageous, that now, of all times, one should come With incomprehensible pity! Far better had Mary been dumb.

x.x.x

But when again she stammered in this bewildering way, The farmer no longer could bear it, and begged her to go, or to stay, But not to be whimpering nonsense at such a time. p.r.i.c.ked by a goad, 'Twas you who sent him to glory:- you've come here to reap what you sowed.