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Cripplestraw had been left in charge, and Festus had found no difficulty in forcing from that dependent the keys of whatever he required. John Loveday turned his eyes from the scene to the neighbouring moonlit path, where Anne still stood waiting. Then he looked into the room, then at Anne again.
'I think that before I start, Cripplestraw, said Festus, whose lurid visage was undergoing a bleaching process curious to look upon, 'you shall go on to Budmouth, and make a bold inquiry whether the cowardly enemy is on shore as yet, or only looming in the bay. 'I'd go in a moment, sir, said the other, 'if I hadn't my bad leg again.
'Only a hymn for preservation from our enemies, dear nephew, meekly replied the farmer, who had heard the remark. 'Twen-ty-three and half from N.W. Festus allowed his horse to move on a few paces, and then turned again, as if struck by a happy invention. 'Cripplestraw, he began, with an artificial laugh, 'I am obliged to confess, after all I must see her!
Festus did for a moment try to uncover his teeth in a natural smile, but it died away. 'Cripplestraw, you flatter me; or do you mean it? Well, there's truth in it. I am more gallant in going to her than in marching to the shore. But we cannot be too careful about our good names, we soldiers. I must not be seen. I'm off.
Anne said nothing, and set out for Oxwell Hall with Cripplestraw. 'William, said Mrs. Loveday to the miller when Anne was gone and Bob had resumed his work in the garden, 'did you get that letter sent off on purpose? 'Well, I did. I wanted to make sure of it. John likes her, and now 'twill be made up; and why shouldn't he marry her? I'll start him in business, if so be she'll have him.
'Yes, sure, said the corporal, raising the limb slowly, as if the glory of exhibition had lost some of its novelty, though he was willing to oblige. Twisting it mercilessly about with his right hand he produced a crunching among the bones at every motion, Cripplestraw seeming to derive great satisfaction from the ghastly sound.
'We were trying to bomb down the tower, and a piece of the shell struck me. I was no more nor less than a dead man for two days. If it hadn't a been for that and my smashed arm I should have come home none the worse for my five-and-twenty years' service. 'You have got a silver plate let into yer head, haven't ye, corpel? said Anthony Cripplestraw, who had drawn near.
On a lower plane of experience and qualifications came neighbour James Comfort, of the Volunteers, a soldier by courtesy, but a blacksmith by rights; also William Tremlett and Anthony Cripplestraw, of the local forces. The two latter men of war were dressed merely as villagers, and looked upon the regulars from a humble position in the background.
'Well, if the young woman don't want to see yer head, maybe she'd like to hear yer arm? continued Cripplestraw, earnest to please her. 'Hey? said the corporal. 'Your arm hurt too? cried Anne. 'Knocked to a pummy at the same time as my head, said Tullidge dispassionately. 'Rattle yer arm, corpel, and show her, said Cripplestraw.
He disliked the sight of it. Hearing voices in the other room, he entered and found Anne and her mother there, talking to Cripplestraw, who had just come in with a message from Squire Derriman, requesting Miss Garland, as she valued the peace of mind of an old and troubled man, to go at once and see him. 'I cannot go, she said, not liking the risk that such a visit involved.
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