United States or Guyana ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"No, not answerable for the accident, perhaps," said Mr Tankardew; "but your case and the case just related by my young friend are not quite parallel, for his companion knew that the farmer had, by his own confession, been in the habit of exceeding; you didn't know but that the guard was a moderate man." "Exactly so," replied the other; "I presumed, of course, that he knew when to stop."
The meal concluded, Mr Tankardew requested his young friend to bring out some of his curiosities. These greatly interested all the party especially Mrs Franklin and Mary, who were delighted with the traveller's liveliness and intelligence. "Show our friends some of your sketches," said the old man.
A door opened a few yards in front of them, and a dark figure appeared in the midst of a square opening all ablaze with cheerful light. "Hollo, Sam," said Mr Tankardew again, in a more subdued voice. "Is that you, mayster? All right," cried the other. "I've brought you some company, Sam, rather late though." "You're welcome, mayster, company and all," was the reply.
"Leave that to me, madam," said Mr Tankardew; "I shall sleep at the `Wheatsheaf' to-night, and will take care to send a trusty messenger over to `The Shrubbery' to tell them how matters stand; and Mr Hodges will, I am sure, drive you over in his gig in the morning. Hark how the rain comes down! You really must stop: Mrs Hodges will make you very comfortable."
Not many minutes, however, were given to the guests for observation, for Mr Tankardew soon appeared in evening costume, accompanied by the young stranger who had taken refuge on the night of the storm in Samuel Hodges' farm kitchen. Mr Tankardew introduced him to the Rothwells as Mr John Randolph, an old-young friend.
There was a hollowness and emptiness about the whole thing; plenty of excitement and a great deal of selfishness, but nothing to make me feel really brighter and happier." "No, my child; I quite agree with you: and I was specially sorry for old Mr Tankardew.
Dusty, I see;" and with the long tail of his dressing-gown he proceeded to raise a cloud of dust from four massive oak chairs, much to the disturbance of Mark's equanimity, who succeeded with some difficulty in maintaining his gravity. "Sorry," added Mr Tankardew, "to appear in this dishabille, must excuse and take me as I am."
"Don't mention this," said the young man; "it has been a privilege to me to have been able to render this assistance. I am only too thankful that I was put in the way of discovering what might have otherwise been a very serious business. But we must see that you are better protected for the future." "True, true, John," interrupted Mr Tankardew, smiling; "I see I must put in a word.
Mary was struggling to say something to him expressive of her gratitude, but before she could put it into shape he was gone. The next day brought Mr Tankardew to "The Shrubbery." The old man drew Mary to him in the fulness of his heart, and blessed her, calling her his child. "Well, what have the doctors made of you?" he asked, rather abruptly. "Made of me?" asked Mary, laughing.
Near the part of the fence where the scuffle took place were afterwards found marks of a horse's hoofs, and traces of blood. The miserable young man contrived to get clear away: the rest of the gang were all captured by the police. The day after this adventure old Mr Tankardew and John Randolph paid a visit together to "The Shrubbery."
Word Of The Day