same, and among his
tenants d'ye see, well, it aren't right--though I've darned same
constant. No wonder Widow Weston, which same is a scold, my lady, but
'tis no wonder she contradictioned of his honour no later than
yesterday arternoon towards four o' the clock as ever was----"

"Aye, I know Widow Weston!" smiled my lady. "Contradicted
him--aye--she would."

"And did, my lady! Here's his honour in his old coat a-bowing to her
and a-choking and coughing d'ye see, on account of her chimbley
a-smoking woeful. 'Mam,' says he, 'I fear your chimbley smokes.' 'It
don't!' she cries, 'it don't, and if it do 'tis no worse than it was in
my husband's time and if it did for him 'twill do for me,' she says.
Whereon his honour bows himself into the air and wipes the soot out of
his eyes all the way home, mam."

"But referring to the coat, Sergeant----"

"Begad, yes mam, saving your presence. There's him a-waiting for same."

"You must insist on his leaving it off, Sergeant."

"Insist? Zounds, my lady, insist--to the Major. Couldn't nowise be
done, mam."

"Why then he must lose same, Sergeant Zeb," said my lady roguishly.

"Lose it, mam! Lord mam, his honour would never forgive me."

"He would--O he would. Besides you didn't lose it. And it isn't here,
is it?"

"Why it aren't apparent to human observation, my lady. But p'r'aps you
might chance to be sit----"

"Hush!" cried my lady, white finger upraised. "Is someone coming?"
The Sergeant stepped outside to glance about, listened dutifully and
shook his head.

"No mam, but I must get back to the house, his honour will----"

"How is he progressing in health, Sergeant--his appetite--doth he eat
well?

"Eat, my lady!" exclaimed the Sergeant dolefully, "he's forgot how."

"Truly I do begin to think he hath a soul after all, Sergeant."

"Soul, mam? The finest as ever was! He's all soul, my lady, 'tis his
body as do worry me--vading mam it be, vading and a-languishing away.
Aye, 'tis his body----"

"There seems plenty of it left, Sergeant, and it looks solid enough--O
Lud!" she exclaimed all at once and clasped her hands, as from afar
rose a hoarse, growl that swelled into a deep-lunged roar. "A mercy's
sake, what is it?"

"My lady, 'tis the Colonel a-calling me. I must go, my lady, and
consequently humbly request you to----"

"Stay, dear Sergeant Zeb, first pray go fetch me a ladder."

"Ladder, my lady?"

"How may I get back over the wall with