'Misses wished some ale to be given out, sir; and as I felt no ways inclined for my own little room, sir, and was disposed for company, I am taking mine among 'em here.' Brittles headed a low murmur, by which the ladies and gentlemen generally were understood to express the gratification they derived from Mr.Giles's condescension.

Mr.Giles looked round with a patronising air, as much as to say that so long as they behaved properly, he would never desert them.
'How is the patient to-night, sir ?' asked Giles.
'So-so'; returned the doctor.

'I am afraid you have got yourself into a scrape there, Mr.Giles.' 'I hope you don't mean to say, sir,' said Mr.Giles, trembling, 'that he's going to die.

If I thought it, I should never be happy again.

I wouldn't cut a boy off: no, not even Brittles here; not for all the plate in the county, sir.' 'That's not the point,' said the doctor, mysteriously.