She's hurrying up supper to give you something warm after your wettin'.

Would you like a little nip of whiskey, sir, to keep the damp out ?" [Illustration: A Few Thoughts] I declined the whiskey, and seated myself in the neatly-furnished parlor.

It was wonderful, I thought, to fall into such a hospitable household, and then I began to ask myself whether or not it would be the proper thing to offer to pay for my entertainment.

I thought I had quite properly divined the position in life of the little man.

This small house, so handsomely built and neatly kept, must be a lodge upon some fine country place, and the man was probably the head gardener, or something of the kind.
It was not long before my hostess came into the room, but she did not laugh at my appearance.