CHAPTER IX.

HOW MAJOR ROGER POTTER GOT HIS DINNER, MADE AN EXCHANGE OF CHICKENS,
AND TOOK LEAVE OF MRS. TROTBRIDGE.





HAD Major Roger Potter been as well qualified to take advantage of a
political necessity, as the cunning quality of his gallantry in this
instance fully testified, he was to get the better in a matter of
trade, he had never fallen from so high an estate as that of
defending the nation's honor to that of selling tin ware and shoe
pegs.

The major, saying he had an inert sympathy for the humble, and that
nothing had so much pleased him as to do Mrs. Trotbridge service,
now commenced to set her table, which he did with the familiarity of
a good housewife, while the anxious woman bestirred herself in
preparing dinner, expressing her doubts as she did so, that her
efforts would not meet our expectations. Suddenly remembering that I
was so great a politician, the good woman, having made sundry
inquiries concerning my wants, bethought herself that I would like a
book to while away the time; so, leaving her stew pan in charge of
the Major, who, having set the table with great exactness, was