“Oh, no, not that one, Mr. Feet, but he used to cure them just like that.--Will you have some more tea? There’s plenty of tea. Oh, yes, I knew you would. Just one drop of milk and I wonder if Betty put on enough sugar? Well, you can excuse the sugar this time. There, I told Betty to cook you some eggs, but she has forgotten. I know that you wouldn’t care for any ham if you didn’t have eggs to eat with it. You will have some more bread and butter, I know you will.” “Yes, madam, if you please, I will take some of that ham also, and make myself a sandwich,” insisted Barclugh, for matters were desperate for his stomach’s sake. “Very well, Mr. Feet. I will take it over to the sideboard, and prepare you one, myself,” was the offer of Mrs. Puffer, expecting her guest to say: “No, thank you, it will be too much bother.” But not that way for Barclugh. He arose from the table and said: “Allow me to assist you. I will take it over to the sideboard for you,” wishing to be agreeable. “No! No! you mustn’t do that! I couldn’t allow you! I will do that myself,” interposed Mrs. Puffer, as she jumped up hastily and grabbed the platter to take the ham off the table, when the so-called ham rolled to the floor and bounced up like a rubber ball, for it was as hollow as a fiddle, and made of wood. Barclugh simply sat back and laughed till he was tired out. Mrs. Puffer picked up the wayward morsel and placed it on the sideboard. She sat down as coolly as though she had used the ham before, and broke the silence by saying: “Mr. La Fitte, you know how it is when you have to trust to servants. I have that dish of ham for an ornament on the sideboard, but Betty had to place it on the table this evening. That is just like those girls. They do not know better.” [Illustration: Barclugh simply sat back and laughed till he was tired out.] There was nothing for Barclugh to do now but to eat bread and butter, and fill up on tea and talk. When a man is disappointed in his meal he begins to get ugly. So Barclugh arose from the table, went into the sitting-room and demanded his bill and declared that he would have to leave for the next stopping-place. But Mrs. Puffer objected, by saying: “Oh, no, Mr. La Fitte, you know that these roads are infested with ‘cow-boys’ and ‘skinners,’ and you may be captured and robbed.” “Which party is it that you belong to, Mrs. Puffer?” asked Barclugh. “I should think that you belonged to the latter.” From without the house loud shouts of “Hello!” “Hello!” were heard on the road. Mrs. Puffer turned to Barclugh exclaiming: “Some of those rascals are there now. You better hide yourself somewhere.” “Never mind, madam,” replied Barclugh, and handing over a sovereign to pay his fare, continued, “I can take care of myself.” At that instant a burly fellow in the uniform of a Continental walked in. “Any strangers here to-night, Mrs. Puffer?” came in heavy tones from the soldier.