"She would be the better for a little polishing; wouldn't she, eh?
Too hoydenish and forward, I am afraid; too fond of speaking the truth.

Let's have her taught to amble, and mince, and---- Bah, come to breakfast!" The Major laughed heartily at this tirade of the Captain's.

He was fond of teasing him, and I believe the Captain liked to be teased by him.
"And what are you three going to do with yourselves to-day, eh ?" asked the Captain at breakfast.

"It is a matter of total indifference to me, so long as you take yourselves off somewhere, and leave me in peace." Alice was spokesman:--"We are going up to the Limestone Gates; Mr.
Samuel Buckley has expressed a desire to see them, and so Jim and I thought of taking him there." This was rather a jesuitical speech.

The expedition to the Limestone Gates involved a long ride through very pretty scenery, which she herself had proposed.