"Egad! ’tis a rare flam. Frank, this fellow here did it all, shouted for a dozen; by George, ’twas a mighty neat trick! And, by George, I know your face; I saw you yesterday, I believe! What’s your name, man?" "Sherebiah Stand-up-and-bless Minshull, my lord," said Sherry, "by the water o’ baptism, your honour, for I was born while old Rowley were in furren parts. If a’d been born two year arter, my lord, I med ha’ been chrisomed wi’ less piety." "I remember you, and the old gaffer your father—a fine old fellow. Well, my man, your name suits me better; ’tis for us to stand up and bless, eh, Frank? And here’s a guinea for you." Sherebiah put his hands behind him and looked down at the coin in my lord’s hand. "Nay, nay, my lord," he said slowly. "True, I did the shouten, or most on’t, but ’twas Master Harry his notion. Pa’son’s son, you see, my lord; know’d all the holy story o’ Gideon; says to me, ’Sherry,’ says he, ’shout high and low, bass and tribble, give it tongue,’ says he; and I gi’d it tongue, so I did." Both gentlemen laughed heartily. "I recognize you now," said my lord, turning to Harry, who looked somewhat embarrassed. "Surely you are the hero of yesterday’s cricket match? You swing a straight bat, my lad, and, stap me! you’ve a quick wit if you devised this late surprise. How came you on the scene?" "We’d been fishing yonder, my lord, and I chanced to spy your carriage and the villains waiting here, almost at the same time. It was clear what they were about, and as there was no time to warn you we came along the stream, and—Sherry shouted." His smile as he said the last words met an answering smile on Lord Godolphin’s face. "A mighty clever trick indeed—eh, Frank? We’re beholden to you. ’Twas a mere chance that I sent my mounted escort on ahead by the highway to arrange a change of horses, never thinking to be waylaid at this time o’ day." "Ay, ’twas the Queen’s purse, my lord," struck in Sherebiah. "To know Queen’s purse-bearer were a-comen along old road like a common mortal, ’twere too much for poor weak flesh and blood." "The ignorant bumpkins mistook your meaning," said Frank. "So it appears. But come, you’re the parson’s son, I believe. I forget your name?" "Harry Rochester, my lord." "Going to be a parson yourself, eh?" "I am going up to Oxford in October, my lord; my father wishes me to take orders." "Ah! And your own wish, eh?" Harry hesitated. "Come, out with it, my lad." "I had thought, my lord, I should like to carry the Queen’s colours; but ’tis a vain thought; my father’s living is small, and——" "And commissions in the Queen’s army sell high. ’Tis so, indeed. Well, I heard something of your father last night at Sir Godfrey’s; you can’t do better than follow his example. And hark ’ee, if ever you want a friend, when you’ve taken your degrees, you know, come and see me; I owe you a good turn, my lad; and maybe I’ll have a country vicarage at my disposal." "Thank you, my lord!"