r.'

Mrs. Loveday replied that that was very plain speaking.

'Well, 'tis. But Bob has given her up. He never meant to marry her.
I'll tell you, Mrs. Loveday, what I have never told a soul before. I was
standing upon Budmouth Quay on that very day in last September that Bob
set sail, and I heard him say to his brother John that he gave your
daughter up.'

'Then it was very unmannerly of him to trifle with her so,' said Mrs.
Loveday warmly. 'Who did he give her up to?'

Festus replied with hesitation, 'He gave her up to John.'

'To John? How could he give her up to a man already over head and ears
in love with that actress woman?'

'O? You surprise me. Which actress is it?'

'That Miss Johnson. Anne tells me that he loves her hopelessly.'

Festus arose. Miss Johnson seemed suddenly to acquire high value as a
sweetheart at this announcement. He had himself felt a nameless
attractiveness in her, and John had done likewise. John crossed his path
in all possible ways.

Before the yeoman had replied somebody opened the door, and the firelight
shone upon the uniform of the person they discussed. Festus nodded on
recognizing him, wished Mrs. Loveday good evening, and went out
precipitately.

'So Bob told you he meant to break off with my Anne when he went away?'
Mrs. Loveday remarked to the trumpet-major. 'I wish I had known of it
before.'

John appeared disturbed at the sudden charge. He murmured that he could
not deny it, and then hastily turned from her and followed Derriman, whom
he saw before him on the bridge.

'Derriman!' he shouted.

Festus started and looked round. 'Well, trumpet-major,' he said blandly.

'When will you have sense enough to mind your own business, and not come
here telling things you have heard by sneaking behind people's backs?'
demanded John hotly. 'If you can't learn in any other way, I shall have
to pull your ears again, as I did the other day!'

'_You_ pull my ears? How can you tell that lie, when you know 'twas
somebody else pulled 'em?'

'O no, no. I pulled your ears, and thrashed you in a mild way.'

'You'll swear to it? Surely 'twas another man?'

'It was in the parlour at the public-house; you were almost in the dark.'
And John added a few details as to the particular blows, which amounted
to proof itself.

'Then I heartily ask your pardon for saying 'twas a lie!' cried Festus,
advancing with extended hand and a genial smile. 'Sure, if I had known