CHAPTER VIII. 



** Oh ! what avails the largest gifts of heaven 

 When drooping health and spirits go amiss ? 

 How tasteless then whatever can be given ; 

 Health is the vital principle of bliss." 



" Lick that stain off your flank," said 

 Trimbush, pointing to the dirt on my side. 



' * Why should I be so particular ? ' ' replied 

 I, obeying his instructions, " we don't go 

 out to-day." 



" No," rejoined he; *' but the Squire's 

 coming to inspect us, and, I suppose, you'd 

 like to appear nice and comely in his eyes." 



" What do you mean by that? " I asked, 

 applying my tongue more diligently to the 

 completion of my toilet. 



" You'll see in a few minutes," added 

 Trimbush, " and if everything isn't in 



