ny
who did not know which were friends and which were foes. Many more
there were who did not care! Some of the Volunteer officers (though not
many), depending too much on their sergeants to keep them right, drove
these sergeants nearly mad. Others there were, who, depending too much
on their own genius, drove their colonels frantic; but by far the
greater number, both of officers and men, knew their work and did it
well.

Yes, it was indeed a glorious day entirely, that same Queen's Birthday,
for all arms of the service, especially for the 49th Middlesex; and when
that gallant body of men marched from the field of glory, with drums
beating and fifes shrieking, little Pax could scarcely contain himself
for joy, and wished with all his heart that he were drum-major of the
corps, that he might find vent for his feelings in the bursting of the
big drum.

"Now," said Phil, when they had seen the last of the Volunteers off the
field, "what shall you and I do?"

"Ah! true, that is the question," returned Pax; "what are we to do? Our
holidays are before us. The day is far spent; the evening is at hand.
We can't bivouac here, that is plain. What say you, Phil, to walking
over to Miss Stivergill's? I have a general invite from that lady to
spend any holidays I have to dispose of at Rosebud Cottage. It is not
more than two miles from where we stand."

"D'ye think she'd extend her invite to me," asked Phil dubiously.

"Think!" exclaimed Pax, "I am _sure_ of it. Why, that respectable old
lady owns a heart that might have been enshrined in a casket of beauty.
She's a trump--a regular brick."

"Come, Pax, be respectful."

"Ain't I respectful, you Irish noodle? My language mayn't be choice,
indeed, but you can't find fault with the sentiment. Come along, before
it gets darker. Any friend of mine will be welcome; besides, I half
expect to find your sister there, and we shall be sure to see Miss
Lillycrop and my sweet little cousin Tottie, who has been promoted to
the condition of ladies'-maid and companion."

"Ah, poor Tottie!" said Phil, "her father's illness has told heavily on
her."

"That's true," returned Pax, as every vestige of fun vanished from his
expressive face and was replaced by sympathy, "but I've good news for
her to-night. Since her last visit her father has improved, and the
doctor says he may yet recover. The fresh air of the new house has done
him good."

Pax referred here to a new residenc