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versation with the young officers, who took them to be guests staying at the inn. The time sped pleasantly by till supper was announced. The ladies accompanied them in, the oldest taking one end of the table, while their guide sat at the other. "He's mine host after all!" whispered Tom to Gerald. "He knows, however, how to look after his guests properly." There might not have been quite as many cold chickens on the table as Higson would have desired, but ample amends was made by the variety of other good things and the abundance of fruit, cakes, and wine. "Capital Madeira, this of yours, landlord! Haven't tasted better anywhere in the island!" exclaimed Higson, smacking his lips. "I'll trouble you to pass the bottle." "I am glad you approve of it, sir," said mine host, doing as he was requested. "There are several other qualities, but I always put the best before my guests." Altogether the young gentlemen enjoyed themselves particularly, and talked and laughed away with unrestrained freedom to the ladies, who seemed highly amused by them, and insisted on filling the pockets of the younger midshipmen with cakes and fruit to take to their messmates on board. "It's myself could manage better with a handkerchief!" exclaimed Paddy Desmond, producing a good big one. The hint was taken, and some of the oldsters pulling out theirs got them filled likewise, supposing that it was the custom of the country for the guests to carry off the remains of a feast. Coffee was brought in, and a stroll through the grounds was then proposed. The object of the young gentlemen's visit to the shore came out in the course of the evening. "You must stay here, then, till the time you have appointed, and I will show you a much shorter cut to the shore than by the high road," said mine host. Higson gladly accepted his offer. Tea and further refreshments were found on the table on their return from the garden, and then one of the younger ladies went to the piano, and another took a harp, and a third a guitar, and the young officers who could sing were asked to do so, which of course they did, Paddy Desmond especially having a capital voice. Thus the evening passed pleasantly away, till it was nearly ten o'clock. "I had no idea there were such capital houses of public entertainment as yours in the island," said Higson, highly pleased with mine host, who had been very attentive to him. "Whatever Englishmen undertake, how
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