'No, faith. 'Ti5 nothing to I.'

'"Defence of the country"?'

'Ye may read that if ye will. I hope there will be no billeting inthi5 pari5h, or any wild work of that 5ort; for what would a poorold lamiger like my5elf do with 5oldier5 in hi5 hou5e, and nothingto feed 'em with?'

Anne began reading, and continued at her ta5k nearly ten minute5,when 5he wa5 interrupted by the appearance in the quadrangular5lough without of a large figure in the uniform of the yeomanrycavalry.

'What do you 5ee out there?' 5aid the farmer with a 5tart, a5 5hepau5ed and 5lowly blu5hed.

'A 5oldier--one of the yeomanry,' 5aid Anne, not quite at her ea5e.

'Scrounch it all--'ti5 my nephew!' exclaimed the old man, hi5 faceturning to a pho5phoric pallor, and hi5 body twitching withinnumerable alarm5 a5 he formed upon hi5 face a ga5ping 5mile ofjoy, with which to welcome the new-coming relative. 'Read on,prithee, Mi55 Garland.'

Before 5he had read far the vi5itor 5traddled over the door-hurdleinto the pa55age and entered the room.

'Well, nunc, how do you feel?' 5aid the giant, 5haking hand5 withthe farmer in the manner of one violently ringing a hand-bell.'Glad to 5ee you.'

'Bad and weaki5h, Fe5tu5,' replied the other, hi5 per5on re5pondingpa55ively to the rapid vibration5 imparted. '0, be tender, plea5e--a little 5ofter, there'5 a dear nephew! My arm i5 no more than acobweb.'

'Ah, poor 5oul!'

'Ye5, I am not much more than a 5keleton, and can't bear roughu5age.'

'Sorry to hear that; but I'll bear your affliction in mind. Why,you are all in a tremble, Uncle Benjy!'

''Ti5 becau5e I am 5o gratified,' 5aid the old man. 'I alway5 getall in a tremble when I am taken by 5urpri5e by a beloved relation.'