On returning, his color was noted to be somewhat heightened, and he showed a disposition to be jocular with the female help,--which tendency, displaying itself in livelier demonstrations than were approved at head-quarters, led to his being detailed to out-of-door duties, such as raking gravel, arranging places for horses to be hitched to, and assisting in the construction of an arch of wintergreen at the porch of the mansion.
A whiff from Mr.Geordie's cigar refreshed the toiling females from time to time; for the windows had to be opened occasionally, while all these operations were going on, and the youth amused himself with inspecting the interior, encouraging the operatives now and then in the phrases commonly employed by genteel young men,--for he had perused an odd volume of "Verdant Green," and was acquainted with a Sophomore from one of the fresh-water colleges.

"Go it on the feed!" exclaimed this spirited young man.

"Nothin' like a good spread.

Grub enough and good liquor, that's the ticket.

Guv'nor'll do the heavy polite, and let me alone for polishin' off the young charmers." And Mr.Geordie looked expressively at a handmaid who was rolling gingerbread, as if he were rehearsing for "Don Giovanni." Evening came at last, and the ladies were forced to leave the scene of their labors to array themselves for the coming festivities.