-bye to, that his father, who held him fast by the hand, shook
him more than once, and told him he would run everybody down if he
could,--to judge by his way of walking. He must learn to march better,
if he was to be a soldier; and to steer, if he was to be a sailor.

There were just two minutes to spare when they reached the inn-yard.
The horses were pawing and fidgeting, and some of the passengers had
mounted: so Mr Proctor said he would seat the boy at once. He spoke to
two men who were on the roof, just behind the coachman; and they agreed
to let Hugh sit between them, on the assurance that the driver would
look to his concerns, and see that he was set down at the right place.

"Now, my boy, up with you!" said his father, as he turned from speaking
to these men. Hugh was so eager, that he put up his foot to mount,
without remembering to bid his mother and sisters good-bye. Mr Proctor
laughed at this; and nobody wondered; but Agnes cried bitterly; and she
could not forget it, from that time till she saw her brother again.
When they had all kissed him, and his mother's earnest look had bidden
him remember what had passed between them that morning, he was lifted up
by his father, and received by the two men, between whom he found a safe
seat.

Then he wished they were off. It was uncomfortable to see his sisters
crying there, and not to be able to cry too, or to speak to them. When
the coachman was drawing on his second glove, and the ostlers held each
a hand to pull off the horse-cloths, and the last moment was come, Mr
Proctor swung himself up by the step, to say one thing more. It was--

"I say, Hugh,--can you tell me,--how much is four times seven?"

Mrs Proctor pulled her husband's coat-tail, and he leaped down, the
horses' feet scrambled, their heads issued from the gateway of the
inn-yard, and Hugh's family were left behind. In the midst of the
noise, the man on Hugh's right-hand said to the one on his left,--

"There is some joke in that last remark, I imagine."

The other man nodded; and then there was no more speaking till they were
off the stones. When the clatter was over, and the coach began to roll
along the smooth road, Hugh's neighbour repeated,--

"There was some joke, I fancy, in that last remark of your father's."

"Yes," said Hugh.

"Are you in the habit of saying the multiplication-table when you
travel?" said the other. "If so, we shall be happy to hear it."

"Exceedingly happ