it?" feebly asked the schoolmaster, feeling the weakness of his
kilted position.

"It's toddy, whiskey toddy, Scotch whiskey toddy, the only thing that'll
save your life," cried Coristine, with firmness amounting to
intimidation. The dominie sipped the glass, stirred it with the spoon,
and gradually finished the mixture. Then, laying the tumbler on the
table beside his watch and pocketbook, he finished his rubbing-down, and
encased his legs in Pierre's Sunday trousers. As he turned up the
latter, and pulled on a pair of his own socks, he remarked to his friend
that he felt better already, and was much obliged to him for the toddy.

"Don't mention it, my boy, I'm so glad it's done you good."

"I fear, Corry, that I was hasty and unjust to you when I came out of
the water."

"Oh well, Wilks darlin', let us say no more about it, or, like the late
Mr. William Basse, I'll for my past offences weep. I don't know what it
is exactly you're like now. If you had the faytures, you would do for
one of the Peoplesh. You and the grinstun man could hunt in couples.
With a billy cock-hat on the side of your head, you'd make a sporting
gent. Are you feeling pretty well, Wilks, as far as the clothes will let
you?"

"Yes; I am all right again, I think."

"Then I must damp the ardour of ingenuous youth,

And dash the cup of joy to earth
Ere it be running o'er.

Wilks, prepare yourself for a blow."

"Quick, Corry, make no delay--has the colonel fallen from his horse? Has
his niece accepted Mr. Rawdon?"

"No; my dear friend, but those big fish, one of which you risked your
precious life after, are--suckers. Ben Toner wanted to fire them into
the drink, but I restrained his sucker-cidal hand. You seem to bear the
news with resignation."

The lawyer accompanied his resuscitated friend down stairs. The
velveteen waistcoat exhibited an ample shirt-front, and had pockets with
flaps like the coat. The dominie's own blue and yellow silk handkerchief
was tied in a sailor's knot round a rakish collar, that compromised
between a turn-down and a stand-up; and his nether garments began with
the dark and light blue broad-striped trousers and ended in a large pair
of felt slippers, admirable footgear, no doubt, for seasons of extreme
cold. Thus attired, Wilkinson occupied the sitting-room, and returned to
the study of Alphonse Karr. Mr. Toner had left the string of fish by the
door, where it was quite safe. There seemed to be no b