nd then blew his nose severely and long. Fortunately, the
meal was over, the host returned thanks, and the party left the table.
The old man took a pail and went to water the stock, which seemed to
consist of the cow, while the wife put away the supper things, and
prepared for the evening's milking.

The pedestrians, being told there was nothing they could do, strolled
out into the neighbouring pasture, and pretended to look among the weeds
and stones, at the end of the fence farthest away from the stock-waterer
for botanical and geological specimens; but, in reality, they were
having a battle royal.

"Corry, you ass, whatever put it into your stupid head to make a fool of
that kind little woman?"

"Sauer Kraut and Speck Noodle, what did you begin with your abominable
Dutch dishes for?"

"I had a perfect right to talk German and of German things with Mrs.
Hill. I did not insult her, like an ungrateful cur, I know."

"I never insulted her, you blackguard, wouldn't do such a thing for my
life. I had a perfect right, too, to talk Greek to the old man, and it
was you put your ugly foot in it with your diabolical gastronomy. I
wonder you don't pray the ground to open up and swallow you."

"I consider, sir, an apology from you to our host and hostess absolutely
necessary, and to be made without any delay."

"I'll apologize, Wilks, for the deipnosophist part of it, but I'll be
jiggered if I'll be responsible for your nasty gastronomy."

"That means that you are going to put all the onus of this hideous and
cruel misunderstanding on my shoulders, when I explained your expression
in charity to all parties, and to help you out."

"Help me out, is it? I think it was helping me into the ditch and
yourself, too."

"Will you or will you not accept the responsibility of this whole
unfortunate business? Here is my ultimatum: Decline to accept it, and I
return to Collingwood this very night."

"Wilks, my boy, that would never do. It's dead tired you'd be, and I'd
hear of you laid up with fever and chills from the night air, or perhaps
murdered by tramps for the sake of your watch and purse."

"It matters nothing. Right must be done. _Fiat justitia, ruat coelum._
Every law of gratitude for hospitality cries aloud: 'Make restitution
ere the sun goes down.' I understand, sir, that you refuse." So saying,
the offended dominie moved rapidly towards the house to resume his
knapsack and staff.

"Wilks, if you don't stop I'll st