by the miller, as Anne was glad to see, that she and her mother
should not be the only women there.

The elder Loveday apologized in a whisper to Mrs. Garland for the
presence of the inferior villagers. 'But as they are learning to be
brave defenders of their home and country, ma'am, as fast as they
can master the drill, and have worked for me off and on these many
years, I've asked 'em in, and thought you'd excuse it.'

'Certainly, Miller Loveday,' said the widow.

'And the same of old Burden and Tullidge. They have served well and
long in the Foot, and even now have a hard time of it up at the
beacon in wet weather. So after giving them a meal in the kitchen I
just asked 'em in to hear the singing. They faithfully promise that
as soon as ever the gunboats appear in view, and they have fired the
beacon, to run down here first, in case we shouldn't see it. 'Tis
worth while to be friendly with 'em, you see, though their tempers
be queer.'

'Quite worth while, miller,' said she.

Anne was rather embarrassed by the presence of the regular military
in such force, and at first confined her words to the dairymen's
wives she was acquainted with, and to the two old soldiers of the
parish.

'Why didn't ye speak to me afore, chiel?' said one of these,
Corporal Tullidge, the elderly man with the hat, while she was
talking to old Simon Burden. 'I met ye in the lane yesterday,' he