"Hear and improve, he pertly cries,
I come to make a nation wise."
GAY


Very early in the morning, before indeed anyone except Patience was
stirring, Steadfast set forth in search of Roger Fitter to consult
him about the poor child who was fast asleep beside Jerusha; and
propose to him to take her into Bristol to find her father.

Hodge, who had celebrated his return by a hearty supper with his
friends, was still asleep, and his mother was very unwilling to call
him, or to think of his going back to the wars. However, he rolled
down the cottage stair at last, and the first thing he did was to
observe--

"Well, mother, how be you? I felt like a boy again, waking up in the
old chamber. Where's my back and breast-piece? Have you a cup of
ale, while I rub it up?"

"Now, Hodge, you be not going to put on that iron thing again, when
you be come back safe and sound from those bloody wars?" entreated
his mother.

"Ho, ho! mother, would you have me desert? No, no! I must to my
colours again, or Sir George and my lady might make it too hot to
hold you here. Hollo, young one, Stead Kenton, eh? Didst find thy
brother? No, I'll be bound. The Roundhead rascals have all the