"My lord, my ladies!" and in trotted Scoutbush, and began kissing them fiercely, and then dancing about.
"Oh my dears! Here at last--out of that horrid city of the plague! Such sights as I have seen--" and then he paused.

"Do you know, Val and Lucia, I'm glad I've seen it: I don't know, but I feel as if I should be a better man all my life; and those poor people, how well they did behave! And the Major, he's an angel! And so's that brick of a doctor, and the mad schoolmistress, and the curate.

Everybody, I think, but me.
Hang it, Val! but your words shan't come true! I will be of some use yet before I die! But I've--" and Valencia went up to him and kissed him, while he ran on, and Lucia said,-- "You have been of use already, dear Fred.

You have sent me and the dear children to this sweet place, where we have been safer and happier than--" (she checked herself); "and your generous present too.

I feel quite a girl again, thanks to you.