On his stepping down again Mr.Miller was preparing to depart.
'Now, what's this?
I am sorry to see anybody going the moment I've come,' expostulated the sergeant-major.

'I thought we might make an evening of it.

There's a nine gallon cask o' "Phoenix" beer outside in the trap, and a ham, and half a rawmil' cheese; for I thought you might be short o' forage in a lonely place like this; and it struck me we might like to ask in a neighbour or two.

But perhaps it would be taking a liberty ?' 'O no, not at all,' said Mr.Paddock, who was now in the room, in a judicial measured manner.

'Very thoughtful of 'ee, only 'twas not necessary, for we had just laid in an extry stock of eatables and drinkables in preparation for the coming event.' ''Twas very kind, upon my heart,' said the soldier, 'to think me worth such a jocund preparation, since you could only have got my letter this morning.' Selina gazed at her father to stop him, and exchanged embarrassed glances with Miller.