used to be once upon a time. Looking up sleepily, the captain had idea
of a pretty young face hanging over him, and a soft voice saying, "It
was me who did it all," which was very good grammar in those days; "will
you forgive me? But I could not help it, and you must have been sorry to
shoot him."

"Shoot every body who attempts to land," the weary man ordered,
drowsily. "Mattie, once more, you are not to dust my pistols."

"I could not be happy without telling you the truth," the soft voice
continued, "because I told you such a dreadful story. And now--Oh! here
comes mother!"

"What has come over you this morning, child? You do the most
extraordinary things, and now you can not let the captain rest. Go round
and look for eggs this very moment. You will want to be playing fine
music next. Now, captain, I am at your service, if you please, unless
you feel too sleepy."

"Mistress Anerley, I never felt more wide-awake in all my life. We of
the service must snatch a wink whenever we can, but with one eye open;
and it is not often that we see such charming sights."

The farmer's wife having set the beds to "plump," had stolen a look at
the glass, and put on her second-best Sunday cap, in honor of a real
officer; and she looked very nice indeed, especially when she received a
compliment. But she had seen too much of life to be disturbed thereby.

"Ah, Captain Carroway, what ways you have of getting on with simple
people, while you are laughing all the time at them! It comes of the