attentions. "It was awfully good of you," said I, taking his arm
as though I had known him all my life; nor do I think there was
another living man with whom I would have linked arms at that time.

"Good?" cried he. "Nonsense, my dear sir! I'm only afraid you
find it devilish rough. But, at all events, you're coming to dine
with me to-night."

"Am I?" I asked, smiling.

"Rather!" said he. "My time here is short enough. I don't lose
sight of you again between this and midnight."

"It's most awfully good of you," said I again.

"Wait till you see! You'll find it rough enough at my place; all
my retainers are out for the day at a local show."

"Then I certainly shall not give you the trouble "

He interrupted me with his jovial laugh.

"My good fellow," he cried, "that's the fun of it! How do you
suppose I've been spending the day? Told you I was going to
Lancaster, did I? Well, I've been cooking our dinner instead
- laying the table - getting up the wines - never had such a joke!
Give you my word, I almost forgot I was in the wilderness!"

"So you're quite alone, are you?"