an was
commonly taciturn and cautious in his converse with his fellows, and was
by no means of an imaginative turn. Of books our youth had been but a
very remiss student, nor were his remarks on such simple works as he
had read, very profound or valuable; but regarding dogs, horses, and
the ordinary business of life, he was a far better critic; and, with any
person interested in such subjects, conversed on them freely enough.

Harry's host, who had considerable shrewdness, and experience of books,
and cattle, and men, was pretty soon able to take the measure of his
young guest in the talk which they now had together. It was now, for the
first time, the Virginian learned that Mrs. Lambert had been an early
friend of his mother's, and that the Colonel's own father had served
with Harry's grandfather, Colonel Esmond, in the famous wars of Queen
Anne. He found himself in a friend's country. He was soon at ease with
his honest host, whose manners were quite simple and cordial, and who
looked and seemed perfectly a gentleman, though he wore a plain fustian
coat, and a waistcoat without a particle of lace.

"My boys are both away," said Harry's host, "or they would have shown
you the country when you got up, Mr. Warrington. Now you can only have
the company of my wife and her daughters. Mrs. Lambert hath told you
already about one of them, Theo, our eldest, who made your broth, who
cut your roses, and who mended your coat. She is not such a wonder
as her mother imagines her to be: but little Theo is a smart little
housekeeper, and a very good and cheerful lass, though her father says
it."

"It is very kind of Miss Lambert to take so much care for me," says the
young patient.

"She is no kinder to you than to any other mortal, and doth but her
duty." Here the Colonel smiled. "I laugh at their mother for praising
our children," he said, "and I think I am as foolish about them myself.
The truth is, God hath given us very good and dutiful children, and I
see no reason why I should disguise my thankfulness for such a blessing.
You have never a sister, I think?"

"No, sir, I am alone now," Mr. Warrington said.

"Ay, truly, I ask your pardon for my thoughtlessness. Your man hath told
our people what befell last year. I served with Braddock in Scotland;
and hope he mended before he died. A wild fellow, sir, but there was
a fund of truth about the man, and no little kindness under his rough
swaggering manner. Your black fellow t