1 68 ARDENMOHR. 



to be either ' gourmand' or i gourmet.' Now kipper 

 is goot, and whiskey is goot, but you two can 

 exist without." 



" Goot riposte, Hope. You had him there ; and, 

 apropos, do you like fencing?" 



"Yes; famous exercise. I am somewhat clumsy 

 with the foils, but better at singlestick, as I had 

 my teaching from a serious master one Burt of the 

 Guards, who welted me into caution and hard hit- 

 ting." 



"Culture and sweetness," drawled Fred, "we have 

 plenty at school ; it puts one on squarer terms 

 with the big bullies ; and don't they funk it some- 

 times ! " 



"Likely enough," said Ward; "these Neros and 

 Napoleons often show badly under reverses, boys or 

 kings, eh, Major ? " 



"Quite true; and, on the other hand, I have seen 

 some stout soldiers in the field mild enough spirits 

 at other times." 



" I can believe it. Many noted heroes were 

 distinguished equally for gentle deportment : Bayard, 

 without fear or reproach ; Lord Falkland, that sweet 

 and chivalrous soul ; and your own Douglas, Major, 

 ' Tender and True.' " 



