The Broad Highway

"That seems a fine cheese!" said I.

"It is, sir, if I might make so bold, a noble cheese!" he

rejoined, and laid his hand upon it with a touch that was a

caress.

"Then I will take three pennyworth of your noble cheese," said I.

"Cheese!" faintly echoed the gentleman upon the settle, "three

pennyworth. Oh, I shall die, positively I shall burst!"

"Also a loaf," said I. And when the landlord had cut the cheese

with great nicety--a generous portion--and had wrapped it into a

parcel, I put it, together with the loaf, into my knapsack, and

giving him "Good day!" strode to the door. As I reached it, the

tall gentleman rose from the settle, and bowed.

"Referring to George, sir--"

"George!" said I shortly; "to the devil with George!"

Now I could not help being struck by the effect of my words, for

Sir Harry let fall his cane, and stared open-mouthed, while his

companion regarded me with an expression between a frown and

wide-eyed dismay.

"Now I wonder," said I to myself as I descended the steps, "I

wonder who George can be?"

Before the inn there stood a yellow-wheeled stanhope with a horse

which, from his manner of trembling all over for no conceivable

reason, and manifest desire to stand upon his hind legs, I

conceived to be a thorough-bred; and, hanging grimly to the bridle,

now in the air, now on terra firma, alternately coaxing and cursing,

was my friend the Semi-quavering Ostler. He caught sight of me

just as a particularly vicious jerk swung him off his legs.

"Damn your liver!" he cried to the horse, and then, to me: "If

you'll jest call Joe to 'old this 'ere black varmin for me, I'll

--fill yer--eye up."

"Thanks," said I, "but I much prefer to keep it as it is; really

there is no need to trouble Joe, and as for you, I wish you good

morning!"

And when I had gone a little way, chancing to glance back over my

shoulder, I saw that the Outside Passenger stood upon the inn

steps, and was staring after me.