that she was in daily expectation of getting a fourth. He never
failed to make her a present, and partake of her good cheer while
passing that way. The fish would be a great treat with the widow;
and though the strainer and shoe-pegs, for which they were
exchanged, did not "stand him in" more than a shilling, the fish
would rise up in her eyes to the worth of a jolly good dinner.

Old Battle, recognizing the house as one he was accustomed to rest
and feed at, quickened his pace, and disturbing the repose of pigs,
chickens, and young ducks, nestling by the roadside, soon reached
the garden gate. Dismounting in great haste, the major bid me follow
him, and, leaving old Battle to take care of himself for the nonce,
hastened up the pathway toward the front door, for the house was
separated from the road by a narrow garden, enclosed with pickets,
and full of stunted shrubbery. The inmates of the house were soon
astir, and the major's name was, one might have thought, called from
every window. Then the basement door suddenly opened, and two
little, mischievous looking Trotbridges, scampered out to meet him,
and so clung about his short legs, and otherwise offered him proof
of the affection they bore him, as almost to impede his progress.
Mrs. Trotbridge, at the same time, appeared in the door, three or
four flaxen headed little members of the Trotbridge family clinging
at her skirts, and shaking their chubby fingers in ecstasy. Mrs.
Trotbridge stood at least an head taller than the major, and was in
figure so lean as to give one the idea that she had been pressed
between two opposite points of theology. Her face was worn and
wrinkled; her eyes small, gray, and staring, and fortified with a
pair of silver-bowed spectacles, which were incessantly getting down
upon her long, flat nose. Her complexion, too, was the color of alum
tanned sheep skin. The major's arrival was evidently a great event