Feeble men, leaning on forks and rakes, shook their old heads sagely, as if they understood it all.

And when the speaker alluded to the horrors of war--a subject which then came so bitterly home to every heart in Britain--many women melted into sobs and tears.

At last, when the orator himself, moved by the pictures he had conjured up, paused suddenly, quite exhausted, and asked for a slight contribution "to help a deed of charity," there was a general rush towards him.
"No--no, my good people," said Mr.Charles, recovering his natural manner, though a little clouded, I thought, by a faint shade of remorse; "no, I will not take from any one more than a penny; and then only if they are quite sure they can spare it.

Thank you, my worthy man.

Thanks, my bonny young lass--I hope your sweetheart will soon be back from the wars.