One of them, tossing a ball about with her racket, happened to drive it into the shrubbery, whence, to the surprise of the company, Smilash presently emerged, carrying the ball, blinking, and proclaiming that, though a common man, he had his feelings like another, and that his eye was neither a stick nor a stone.

He was dressed as before, but his garments, soiled with clay and lime, no longer looked new.
"What brings you here, pray ?" demanded Miss Wilson.
"I was led into the belief that you sent for me, lady," he replied.
"The baker's lad told me so as he passed my 'umble cot this morning.

I thought he were incapable of deceit." "That is quite right; I did send for you.

But why did you not go round to the servants' hall ?" "I am at present in search of it, lady.

I were looking for it when this ball cotch me here" (touching his eye).