"The fellow was plucky, and well-meanin', too, in his way; and a better master you wouldn't find in a day's march.

What he suffered from was wind in his stomach.

With all the women settin' their caps at him he couldn't help it: but so 'twas.

And the men were a'most as bad.

Just you hearken to this--" Cai seated himself on the edge of the bed again, felt in his breast-pocket and drew out a spectacle-case and a folded pocket-book; adjusted the spectacles on his nose, slapped the pocket-book viciously, spread it on his knee, cleared his throat, and began to read: "'As a boy he was studious in his habits, shy in company, unflinchingly truthful, and fond of animals.