I must start at once for Minden Cottage." His face fell.

"And I was planning a little kick-up at Symonds's," he said ruefully; "a fiddle or two--to celebrate the occasion; nothing out o' the way.

The first time you dropped on us, if you remember, we was not quite ourselves, owing to poor dear Bill: and I'd ha' liked you to form a cheerfuller idea of the place.

But if 'tis duty, my lad, England expec's and I'm not gainsaying.

Duty, is it ?" "Duty it is," said I.