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Read Ebook: Our Admirable Betty: A Romance by Farnol Jeffery
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Ebook has 3508 lines and 99870 words, and 71 pages
"Reverse, sir?"
"Reverse?" mused the Major, rubbing his chin. "Aye, reverse will serve, Zeb, 'twill serve!"
"And three more squads of 'em missing, sir--looted, your honour's arternoon by means of escalade t'other side party-wall. Said cherries believed to have been took by parties unknown lately from London, sir, not sixty minutes since and therefore suspected to be not far off."
"Why, this must be looked to, Zeb!" said the Major, rising. "So, Sergeant, let us look--forthwith."
"Wig, sir!" suggested the Sergeant, holding it out.
"Aye, to be sure!" nodded the Major, taking and clapping it on somewhat askew. "Now--Sergeant--forward!"
"Stick, sir!" said the Sergeant, proffering a stout crab-tree staff.
"Aye!" smiled the Major, twirling it in a sinewy hand, "'twill be useful like as not."
So saying the Major sallied forth carrying the stick very much as if it had been a small-sword; along the terrace he went and down the steps and so across the wide sweep of velvety lawn with prodigious strides albeit limping a little by reason of one of his many wounds, the tails of his war-worn Ramillie coat fluttering behind. Reaching the orchard he crossed to a particular corner and halted before a certain part of the red brick wall where grew the cherry tree in question.
"A thousand devils!" exclaimed the Major.
"Also," continued the Sergeant, "said branch has been broke sir."
"Now God--bless--my soul!" exclaimed the Major.
"'Tis to be hoped so, sir," said the apparition gravely, "you were swearing, I think?"
The Major flushed.
"Ancient man!"
"Madam!"
"Sir!"
The Major stood silent awhile, staring up into the grave blue eyes above the wall.
"Pray," said he at last, "why do you steal my cherries?"
"To speak truth, sir, because I am so extreme fond of cherries."
Here Sergeant Tring gurgled, choked, coughed and finding the Major's eye upon him immediately came to attention, very stiff in the back and red in the face.
The Major stroked his clean-shaven chin and eyed him askance.
"Sergeant, you may--er--go," said he; whereat the Sergeant saluted, wheeled sharply and marched swiftly away.
"And pray," questioned the Major again, "who might you be?"
"A maid, sir."
"Hum!" said he, "and what would your mistress say if she knew you habitually stole and ate my cherries?"
"My mistress?" The grave blue eyes opened wider.
"Aye," nodded the Major, "the fine London lady. You are her maid, I take it?"
"Indeed, sir, her very own."
"Well, suppose I inform her of your conduct, how then?"
"She'd swear at me, sir."
"Egad, and would she so?"
"O, sir, she often doth and stamps at and reviles and rails at me morning, noon and night!"
"Poor child!" said the Major.
"Truly, sir, I do think she'd do me an injury if she didn't care for me so much."
"Then she cares for you?"
"More than anyone in the world beside! Indeed she loveth me as herself, sir!"
"Women be mysterious creatures!" said the Major, sententiously.
"But you know my lady belike by repute, sir?"
"Not even her name."
"Not know of the Lady Elizabeth Carlyon!" and up went a pair of delicate black brows in scornful amaze.
"I have known but three women in my life, and one of them my mother," he answered.
"You sound rather dismal, methinks. But you must have remarked my lady in the Mall, sir?"
"I seldom go to London."
"Now, sir, you sound infinite dismal and plaguily dull!"
"Dull?" repeated the Major thoughtfully, "aye perhaps I am, and 'tis but natural--ancient men often are, I believe."
"And your peruke is all askew!"
"Alack, it generally is!" sighed the Major.
"And you wear a vile old coat!"
"Truly I fear it hath seen its best days!" sighed the Major, glancing down wistfully at the war-worn garment in question.
"O, man," she cried, shaking her head at him, "for love of Heaven don't be so pestilent humble--I despise humility in horse or man!"
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