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"Peterday," said the Sergeant, beginning to stir his tea faster than ever, and with his eyes still fixed, "consequent upon disparaging remarks having been passed by one Grimes, our landlord, concerning them as should not be mentioned in a inn parlour or anywhere else by such as said Grimes, I was compelled to pour a tankard of beer over said Grimes, our landlord, this arternoon, Peterday, at exactly twelve and a half minutes past six, by my watch, which done, I ran our landlord out into the road, Peterday, say half a minute later, which would make it precisely thirteen minutes after the hour.
Belloo," the sailor proceeded, "my shipmate, Dick, and me, mam, respectfully beg the favour of saluting the bride; Mrs. Belloo, by your leave here's health, and happiness, mam!" And, hereupon, the old sailor kissed her, right heartily. Which done, he made way for the Sergeant who, after a moment's hesitation, followed suit. "A fair wind, and prosperous!" cried Peterday, flourishing his hat.
But it was, in all respects, a vastly pleasant island to behold, despite the somewhat craggy prominences of chin, and nose, and brow. In other words, it was a pleasing face notwithstanding the fierce, thick eye-brows which were more than offset by the merry blue eyes, and the broad, humourous mouth below. "Peterday," said the Sergeant, "Mr. Bel-lew!"
Look at me!" he cried suddenly, wheeling and confronting Bellew, but not at all like his bold, erect, soldierly self, "Yes, look at me, a poor, battered, old soldier with his best arm gone, left behind him in India, and with nothing in the world but his old uniform, getting very frayed and worn, like himself, sir, a pair o' jack boots, likewise very much worn, though wonderfully patched, here and there, by my good comrade, Peterday, a handful of medals, and a very modest pension.
Bellew sir, your pardon!" and, forthwith he began to pour out the tea very solemnly, but with less precision of movement than usual, and with abstracted gaze. "The Sergeant tells me you are a musician," said Bellew, as Peterday handed him another muffin. "A musician, me! think o' that now!
"Yes, Peterday," said the Sergeant, hanging each cup upon its appointed nail, and setting each saucer solicitously in the space reserved for it on the small dresser, "since you have took our marching orders as you have took 'em, I am quite reconciled to parting with these here snug quarters, barring only a book-shelf, and a cup-board."
If, therefore, we are due to quit this anchorage, why then it's all hands to the windlass with a heave yo ho, and merrily! say I. Messmate, my fist!" "Peterday, you have lifted a load off my heart I thank ye comrade, and spoke like a true soldier. Peterday the muffins!"
"Hardly that, but I make a good bluff at it." "Why then, I've got a couple o' very good whistles, if you're so minded we might try a doo-et, sir, arter tea." "With pleasure!" nodded Bellew. But, hereupon, Peterday noticing that the Sergeant ate nothing, leaned over and touched him upon the shoulder. "How's the wind, now, Shipmate?" he enquired.
"Why then," said Bellew, sinking into the easy-chair that Miss Priscilla indicated with a little stab of her needle, "why then the muffins were delicious, Aunt Priscilla, and Peterday was just exactly what a one-legged mariner ought to be." "And the shrimps, Mr. Bellew?" enquired Miss Priscilla, busy at her sewing again.
And now, they were out upon the moon-lit road again, seated in the car, while Peterday, his hat in his hand, was speaking to her. And yet, was it to her? "Mrs. Belloo, mam," he was saying, "on this here monumentous occasion " "Monumentous is the only word for it, Peterday!" nodded the Sergeant. "On this here monumentous occasion, Mrs.
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