tary impulse
to dodge out of sight, the Major advanced and touched him with his
gold-mounted cane. The Sergeant turned, stared, opened his mouth, shut
it again and came to attention.

"Well, Sergeant?" he enquired. Sergeant Zebedee blinked and coughed.
"Sergeant, I--ah--er--O damme, Zeb, what d'ye think of 'em?"

"Sir, being by natur' a man o' few words all I can say is--Zounds!"

"D'ye--d'ye like 'em Zeb?"

"Sir," answered the Sergeant, sloping the shears across his arm and
standing at ease, "I've a seen you in scarlet and jacks, I've a seen
you in cuirass and buff but--I ain't never a seen you look younger, no,
nor better, and that's God's truth amen, your honour."

"I'm glad o' that, Zeb, very!" and the Major glanced full-skirted coat
and silk stockings with a kindlier eye. "To speak truth, Zeb, I found
'em a little--er--overpowering at first, as 'twere."

"So they are, sir, as overpowering as ever was!"

"Eh?" said the Major, starting.

"Like the old regiment at Malplaquet, sir, they ain't to be took
lightly, nor yet withstood, sir."

"Hum!" said the Major, his eyes travelling up to a patch of fleecy
cloud. "And now as regards yourself, Sergeant. Since you refuse to
accept more pay----"

"Not a groat, sir! Which ain't to be wondered at when you consider as
you've rose me twice since you dropped in for this here fortun'--not a
stiver, sir!"

"Just so, Zeb, just so! Therefore I propose to advance you an extra
ten guineas a year as--er--a clothes-bounty, as 'twere."

"Clo'es, sir! And me wi' two soots as refuses to be wore out not to
mention this here. Take these breeches, for example, they've done
dooty noble and true for three years and no sign o' weakness front or
rear----"

"Still, 'tis time they were retired from the active list, Zeb. So at
the first opportunity you will proceed to fit yourself out anew--from
head to foot. See to it, Sergeant Tring!"

"Very good, sir. Orders is orders."

"And the sooner the better, Zebedee." And the Major nodded and went
his way.

"_Nom d'un chien!_" exclaimed the Sergeant looking after his master's
tall, elegant figure. "All I says is--Lord--Lord bless his eyes and
limbs!"

Reaching the highway the Major turned aside from the village and
mounting a stile with due heed to his dainty apparel, followed a
footpath that led over a sloping upland, crossed a murmurous rill and
led on beside a wood from whose green depths came leafy stirrings and
the