"Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've hadmy Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinahthat I'll be ready for her as the clock strikes twelve; but stop --just step round to butcher Braydon's with my compliments,and ask him if he would lend me his light trap; I know he never uses iton the Sunday, and it would make a wonderful difference to the mule."

Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trapand welcome.

"All right," exclaimed he; "now put me up a bit of cheese and cheese,and I'll be back in the afternoon as soon as I can."

"And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for dinner,"said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations to the tune of"Polly's the woman and no mistake", of which tune he was somewhat fond.

I always was selected for the journey, and at twelve o'clock we started,in a light, high-wheeled gig, which ran so easilythat after the four-wheeled cab it seemed like nothing.