Thank you all, my 'very worthy and approved good masters,' and a fair harvest to you!" He bowed them away, in a dignified and graceful manner, still standing on the hay-cart.

The honest folk trooped off, having no more time to waste, and left the field in possession of Mr.Charles, his co-mate, and ourselves; whom I do not think he had as yet noticed.
He descended from the cart.

His companion burst into roars of laughter; but Charles looked grave.
"Poor, honest souls!" said he, wiping his brows--I am not sure that it was only his brows--"Hang me if I'll be at this trick again, Yates." "It was a trick then, sir," said John, advancing.

"I am sorry for it." "So am I, young man," returned the other, no way disconcerted; indeed, he seemed a person whose frank temper nothing could disconcert.

"But starvation is--excuse me,--unpleasant; and necessity has no law.