n their clean smock-frocks, with country roses
on their once sickly and sunken cheeks. One might have read Will
Grange's character in his kind, honest face; and his wife looked like a
morning in May, all sweetness, brightness, and beauty,-- such beauty as
is not merely skin-deep.

The farmer tapped gaily on the table, and at the signal, Oddity, whom I
had not at first perceived, clambered up to his knee, and from thence
jumped on the cloth, to be fed from his master's hand. He made his round
of the party,-- every one had something to give him; and I heard the
merry voice of Billy as he patted his favourite's snub nose,-- "He's a
pretty little fellow! now, an't he? I wonder what's become of the old
blind rat that he used to lead about in the shed?"

"Whiskerandos," said I, pensively, to my companion, "I could almost wish
myself in Oddity's place!"

"So do not I," he replied quickly, as he turned from the window. "One
rat in ten millions may be petted and trusted, and show himself worthy
of the trust; but our race was never intended by nature to hold the
position of lap-dogs or cats."

"And are we always to be hated by the lords of creation, never to be
useful to man?"

"We are useful to man," said my companion.

"Ah! in those places where he bakes us in pies, or makes hats or
glove-thumbs of our poor skins. But in London--"

"When you join me in London I will show you, friend Ratto, how, by
acting the part of a scavenger, and clearing away that which, if left,
would poison the air, the race of Mus does good service to man."

"Little man thanks us for it!" cried I.

"Well, Bob," said the farmer, as he leant back in his chair, and
watched, with an air of amusement, his piebald favourite nibbling at a
nut, "is it true what my good wife here tells me, that the post this
morning actually brought a letter for you?"

"From Master Neddy," exclaimed Bob, with sparkling eyes.

"He's come back from Russy, and so has his father, and they're so glad
to be in old England again," cried Billy, as in old times the most ready
to speak. "The letter was sent first to the school,-- the dear old
school!-- for they warn't to know that missus was married, and we so
snug down here in the country. Oh! won't they be pleased to hear it? And
is it not good in them, after all their travels, not to forget poor boys
like us? Do you know, there was money in the letter?" he added, lowering
his voice.

"Ah! Captain Blake did you some good t