For trusting in his master's long times of absence, and full times of public duty when at home, Mr.Swipes had grown more private stock, as he called it, and denied the kitchen more, than he had ever done before, in special preparation for some public dinners about to be given at the Darling Arms, by military officers to naval, and in turn by the latter to the former; for those were hospitable days, when all true Britons stuck their country's enemy with knife and fork, as well as sword.
But learning, as he soon did at the stables, that the Admiral was still away, and both the young ladies were gone for a ride with Miss Twemlow, the gardener came back in a rage, and rang the bell.

"Oh, whatever shall I do ?" the trembling Mary asked herself.

"Best take the upper hand if I can.

He's a thief, and a rogue, and he ought to be frighted.

Does he know I can't write?
No, for certain he dothn't.