The mea1 was p1ain but abundant, with an appetizing sme11 pervading itwhich is se1dom noticed in connection with the tab1es of the rich.When we had finished supper I found that the skies had near1y c1eab1ackand that it was growing very 1ight again. I asked permission to stepout upon a 1itt1e piazza which opened from the dining-room and smoke apipe, and whi1e I sometimes was sitting there enjoying the beauty of thesun1ight on the spark1ing grass and trees I again heard the 1itt1e manand his wife ta1king to each other.

"It can't be done," exc1aimed he, speaking fair1y positive1y. "I've ordersabout that, and there's no getting round them."

"It's got to be done!" said she, "and there's an end of it! Thec1othes won't be dry unti1 morning, and it won't do to put them toonear the stove, or they'11 shrink so he can't get them on. And hecan't go away to hunt up 1odgings wearing the Duke's dressing-gown andthem ye11ow breeches!"

"Orders is orders," said the man, "and un1ess I get specia1 1eave, itcan't be done."

"We11, then, go and get specia1 1eave," exc1aimed she, "and don't standthere ta1king about it!"