I was aroused from what I am inclined to think must have been, not a nap, but a reverie, by the clatter of horses' hoofs outside; and, going to the door, received a cavalcade comprising Mr.Franklin and his three cousins, escorted by one of old Mr.Ablewhite's grooms.
Mr.Godfrey struck me, strangely enough, as being like Mr.Franklin in this respect--that he did not seem to be in his customary spirits.

He kindly shook hands with me as usual, and was most politely glad to see his old friend Betteredge wearing so well.

But there was a sort of cloud over him, which I couldn't at all account for; and when I asked how he had found his father in health, he answered rather shortly, "Much as usual." However, the two Miss Ablewhites were cheerful enough for twenty, which more than restored the balance.

They were nearly as big as their brother; spanking, yellow-haired, rosy lasses, overflowing with super-abundant flesh and blood; bursting from head to foot with health and spirits.

The legs of the poor horses trembled with carrying them; and when they jumped from their saddles (without waiting to be helped), I declare they bounced on the ground as if they were made of india-rubber.