sing, Captain Battleax, pretty well before this
morning. We have our little struggles here as elsewhere, and all
things cannot be done by rose-water. But, on the whole, we are a
prosperous and well-satisfied people."

"We are quite satisfied now, Captain Battleax," said my wife.

"Quite satisfied," said Eva.

"I am sure we are all delighted to hear the ladies speak in so
pleasant a manner," said First-Lieutenant Crosstrees, an officer with
whom I have since become particularly intimate.

Then there was a little pause in the conversation, and I felt myself
bound to say something as to the violent interruption to which I had
this morning been subjected. And yet that something must be playful
in its nature. I must by no means show in such company as was now
present the strong feeling which pervaded my own mind. "You will
perceive, Captain Battleax, that there is a little difference of
opinion between us all here as to the ceremony which was to have
been accomplished this morning. The ladies, in compliance with that
softness of heart which is their characteristic, are on one side; and
the men, by whom the world has to be managed, are on the other. No
doubt, in process of time the ladies will follow--"

"Their masters," said Mrs Neverbend. "No doubt we shall do so when
it is only ourselves that we have to sacrifice, but never when the
question concerns our husbands, our fathers, and our sons."

This was a pretty little speech enough, and received the eager
compliments of the officers of the John Bright. "I did not mean,"
said Captain Battleax, "to touch upon public subjects at such a
moment as this. I am here only to pay my respects as a messenger from
Great Britain to Britannula, to congratulate you all on your late
victory at cricket, and to say how loud are the praises bestowed
on Mr John Neverbend, junior, for his skill and gallantry. The
power of his arm is already the subject discussed at all clubs and
drawing-rooms at home. We had received details of the whole affair
by water-telegram before the John Bright started. Mrs Neverbend, you
must indeed be proud of your son."

Jack had been standing in the far corner of the room talking to Eva,
and was now reduced to silence by his praises.

"Sir Kennington Oval is a very fine player," said my wife.

"And my Lord Marylebone behaves himself quite like a British peer,"
said the wife of the Mayor of Gladstonopolis,--a lady whom he had
married in England, and who had