Also, so far as we were able to judge at that distance, he appeared to be in a remarkably cheerful mood, singing and shouting at the top of his voice, gesticulating, and waving his arms.
"What a merry old soul it is," said Harris; "it does one good to watch him.

But why does he carry his stick over his shoulder?
Why doesn't he use it to help him up the hill ?" "Do you know, I don't think it is a stick," said George.
"What can it be, then ?" asked Harris.
"Well, it looks to me," said George, "more like a gun." "You don't think we can have made a mistake ?" suggested Harris.

"You don't think this can be anything in the nature of a private orchard ?" I said: "Do you remember the sad thing that happened in the South of France some two years ago?
A soldier picked some cherries as he passed a house, and the French peasant to whom the cherries belonged came out, and without a word of warning shot him dead." "But surely you are not allowed to shoot a man dead for picking fruit, even in France ?" said George.
"Of course not," I answered.

"It was quite illegal.

The only excuse offered by his counsel was that he was of a highly excitable disposition, and especially keen about these particular cherries." "I recollect something about the case," said Harris, "now you mention it.
I believe the district in which it happened--the 'Commune,' as I think it is called--had to pay heavy compensation to the relatives of the deceased soldier; which was only fair." George said: "I am tired of this place.